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AB 400

Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training: police canines.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Ahrens and 4 co-sponsors

AB 400 requires California law enforcement to meet new POST certification and training standards for police canines, establishing statewide protocols before deployment; vetoed by Governor with reconsideration pending.

Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.
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Bill Summary · AB 400

Legislative bill overview

AB 400 establishes new training and certification standards for police canines under California's Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The bill requires documented handler training, regular canine evaluations, and compliance with specific protocols before dogs can be deployed in law enforcement operations.

Why is this important

Police canine incidents—including bites, injuries, and deaths—have generated significant liability concerns and civil rights questions in California communities. Standardizing canine training and certification could reduce injuries to both suspects and officers while establishing accountability measures for a law enforcement tool that operates with limited oversight compared to other police practices.

Potential points of contention

  • Law enforcement resistance: Police departments may view new certification requirements as burdensome bureaucracy that increases training costs and removes operational flexibility in canine deployment decisions
  • Scope of protections: The bill may not address underlying questions about when canine deployment is appropriate (such as during low-risk warrant service or on non-violent suspects), focusing instead on training standards rather than deployment limitations
  • Governor's veto rationale: Without public explanation, the veto suggests concerns about regulatory overreach, fiscal impact, or that existing standards were deemed sufficient—creating uncertainty about what specific provisions were objectionable

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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