California Code of Regulations
Title 11 - Law
Division 2 - Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
Article 5 - Peace Officer and Public Safety Dispatcher Selection Requirements
Section 1960 - Public Safety Dispatcher Medical Evaluation
Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Evaluator Requirements
Every public safety dispatcher candidate shall be evaluated to determine if the candidate is free from any physical (i.e., medical) condition that might adversely affect the ability to perform the duties of a public safety dispatcher. The evaluation shall be conducted on behalf of and for the benefit of the employing department by a licensed physician or a licensed health care professional under the supervision of a licensed physician.
(b) Timing of the Medical Evaluation
The medical evaluation shall commence only after the department has extended a conditional offer of employment to the public safety dispatcher candidate. The medical evaluation must be completed within one year prior to date of appointment. A new medical evaluation shall be conducted on public safety dispatcher candidates who are reappointed to the same department, unless the prior evaluation occurred within one year of the date of reappointment.
(c) Medical Screening Procedures and Evaluation Criteria
The medical screening procedures and evaluation criteria used in the conduct of the medical evaluation shall be based on the public safety dispatcher duties, demands, and working conditions as defined by the department. This information shall be provided to the physician, along with any other information (e.g., risk management considerations) that will allow the physician to make a medical suitability determination.
(d) Required Sources of Information for the Medical Evaluation The medical evaluation shall include a review of the following sources of information prior to making a determination about the candidate's medical suitability.
Job information shall consist of the public safety dispatcher duties, demands, and working conditions provided by the department per subsection 1960(c).
Prior to the medical evaluation, every public safety dispatcher candidate shall complete, sign and date a medical history statement. The POST Medical History Statement -- Public Safety Dispatcher, POST 2-264 (12/2011) can be used for this purpose, or an alternative form that includes inquiries about past and current medical conditions and procedures, physical symptoms, limitations, restrictions, and the use of medications and drugs.
Medical records shall be obtained from the candidate's treating physician or other relevant health professional, if warranted and obtainable. This information may be provided by the candidate, or, with written authorization from the candidate (California Civil Code section 56.11), may be obtained directly from the health professional.
(e) Medical Evaluation Reporting Requirements
(f) Second Opinions
'A candidate who is found medically unsuitable has the right to submit an independent evaluation for consideration before a final determination of disqualification is made [2 California Code of Regulations section 11071(b)(2)]. When a candidate notifies the department that s/he is seeking an independent opinion, the department shall make available the public safety dispatcher duties, demands, and working conditions and the medical screening requirements specified in Commission Regulation 1960. Other information, such as specific procedures or findings from the initial evaluation, may be shared with the second-opinion evaluator at the discretion of the department. The means for resolving discrepancies in evaluations is at the discretion of the department, consistent with local personnel policies and/or rules.
1. Change without
regulatory effect renumbering and amending former section
9060 to new section 1960 filed
11-26-2012 pursuant to section
100, title 1, California Code of
Regulations (Register 2012, No. 48).
2. Change without regulatory effect
amending subsection (f) filed 12-2-2013 pursuant to section
100, title 1, California Code of
Regulations (Register 2013, No. 49).
3. Change without regulatory effect
amending subsection (d)(3) filed 12-9-2015 pursuant to section
100, title 1, California Code of
Regulations (Register 2015, No. 50).
4. Change without regulatory effect
amending subsections (e)(1)(D) and (e)(4) filed 6-9-2016 pursuant to section
100, title 1, California Code of
Regulations (Register 2016, No. 24).
5. Amendment of subsections
(e)-(e)(1)(A), (e)(2) and (e)(4) filed 2-27-2018; operative 4-1-2018 (Register 2018,
No. 9).
6. Amendment of subsections (d)(1) and (e)(1)(D) filed
10-15-2021; operative 1-1-2022 (Register 2021, No. 42). Filing deadline specified in
Government Code section
11349.3(a)
extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60
calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 13503, 13506 and 13510, Penal Code. Reference: Section 13510, Penal Code; Sections 12900 et seq., 12940 and 12946, Government Code; Section 56.11, Civil Code; and 42 USC 12101.
