Tilton

*94 Opinion

This is a case of statutory construction. Plaintiff California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) claims the trial court erred when it determined Penal Code section 13602, subdivision (a), authorized defendant California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to conduct training for correctional peace officers away from CDCR’s training academies in Galt and Stockton. We agree with CCPOA and reverse.

FACTS

State law requires CDCR to provide basic correctional officer training to persons seeking to become correctional peace officers. (Pen. Code, § 13603, subd. (a).) 1 Generally, CDCR provides this basic training at either its Galt or Stockton academies. Those accepted into the academies are called cadets. CDCR employs cadets as correctional officers (but not peace officers) while they attend the academies. The cadets are state employees and are paid a wage. They live in dormitories on campus while attending the academies.

In 2006, CDCR initiated a pilot program to provide basic correctional officer training at three community colleges: Fresno City College, Napa Valley College, and Santa Rosa Junior College. CDCR provided lesson plans and…