California Bail Enforcement and Fugitive Recovery Training

This is a familiarity course which deals with Bounty Hunting, also known as Bail enforcement and Fugitive Recovery, in the State of California, and covers a wide range of topics such as;

Lecture 1

This is the introduction and the disclaimer notice. Here we discuss the table of contents and what to expect from this training curriculum, and go over the different presentation slides included herein, including; About the Instructor, What is Bounty Hunting? California PC 1299, California PC 837-Citizens Arrest, PC 832-Powers to Arrest, Active Listening, Bail Agent Licensing, Undercover, Firearms Laws, Skip Tracing, Documentation, Less-Lethal Weapons, Additional Training, Duty Gear, Consequences, Considerations, and we will wrap up with a Summary to recap everything that we learned in this presentation.

Lecture 2

This lecture is about the instructor's training, experience, and work background.

Lecture 3

This module will talk about bounty hunting statistics in the United States, Miranda Rights, Illegally obtained evidence, English Common Law, Bail and the Bail Schedule, Commercial Bail, and the legality of bail and bounty hunting in various states. Students will also become familiar with Taylor v. Taintor (a supreme case ruling), federal law, California PC 1299 (California's "Bail Fugitive Persons Recovery Act"), Qualified Immunity (which does not apply to Bounty Hunters), the generic term "Officer of the Court," and a Bounty Hunter's authority.

Lecture 4

This module is about California's "Bail Fugitive Recovery Persons Act," which is the statutory authority government Bounty Hunting in California, and California Penal Code 1299, which sets forth the rules and regulations for Bounty Hunting in the state. There is no licensing for Bounty Hunters in the state of California, but there are training requirements which must be met by anyone wishing to bounty hunt lawfully in the state of California. This module discusses PC 1299, and the training requirements set forth and enumerated in the California Penal Code, such as; mandatory California Penal Code 832-Powers to Arrest (40 hours) training, and Bail Education Classroom Training (20 hours), which are both required in order to legally bounty hunt in the state. PC 1299 also describes the criteria of persons permitted to bounty hunt in California, limiting such to Bounty Hunters (Fugitive Recovery Persons), Bail Agents, and Private Investigators. There are additional rules and guidelines for out of state Bail Agents, and Private Investigators who are authorized by their respective authority to remand a fugitive, which requires for such to be in accordance with Penal Code 847.5. Additionally, this module discusses bounty hunter insignia and identification, PC 1301 and the urgency to return a captured wanted persons into the custody of authorities immediately, and the process of recovering a fugitive, which entails notifying law enforcement within reasonable time prior to a recovery, unless exigent circumstances exist, for which there is a process and recourse of action.

Lecture 5

This module discusses California state laws on citizens arrest, as codified in California Penal Code 837, and further goes over a Bounty Hunter's or Fugitive Recovery Persons statutory authority in respect to the arrest of fugitives. Bounty Hunters, Bail Agents, and Private Investigators are not Law Enforcement Officers or Peace Officers, thus, can only affect an arrest in the capacity of a civilian or citizen, and do not have any special powers or privileges which further grant them arrest authority. This module also goes over arrest vs. detainment, bail bond paperwork, positively identifying wanted persons, Failure to Appear (FTA) warrants (misdemeanor, and felony), A private persons right to enter a private property dwelling to recover a fugitive (California Penal Code 844), Taylor vs. Taintor, private property and owner consent, California Penal Code 838 & 839 and the summoning of private persons in aid of a citizens arrest, Miranda Rights, and evidence obtained incidental to an arrest.

Lecture 6

California Penal Code 832-Powers to Arrest is a mandatory 40 hour training requirement for any persons bounty hunting. This lecture goes in depth into what students can expect from their California PC 832-Powers to Arrest course, and covers topics such as; California Penal Code, Defense Tactics, Situational Awareness, Jeff Cooper's Awareness Color Code, Meta-cognition, Cognitive Bias, Dynamics of a Situation, Body Language, and Active Listening. Students will also learn about Fight-or-Flight, Escalation of Force (Command Presence, Verbal Command, Show of Force, Soft Techniques, Hard Techniques, and Deadly Force).

Lecture 7

Active listening is an invaluable skill which you can apply in almost any line of work. In this module we talk about active listening, 3 communication types (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic), use of Active Listening in dealing with non-compliant individuals/fugitives, expressive and instrumental personality types, components to Active Listening, which are; minimal encouragements, paraphrasing, emotion labeling, mirroring, open-ended questions, "I" message, and usage of effective pauses.

Lecture 8

This lecture discusses "Bail Agent Pre-Licensing Education," which is one of the two training requirements mandated as set forth under California Penal Code 1299, and is a 20 hour classroom education training curriculum necessary to obtain by any person looking to engage in bounty hunting. There is no exam required for bounty hunters, and this training requirement will suffice, so long as all other requirements are met as outlined in PC 1299. In this module we will also talk about bail agents and private investigators, and felons who are bail agents and wish to bounty hunt legally.

Lecture 9

Undercover operations for bounty hunters includes the topics of reconnaissance and social engineering, disguises, props, theatrics, aesthetics, mirroring techniques, environmental psychology, and being inconspicuous while making transports, and a technique known as "Dry Cleaning."

Lecture 10

This module focuses on firearms laws in California, such as California Penal Code 25850, and exceptions to firearms possession, which includes; valid concealed carry weapons permits, LEOSA (Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act), exceptions for licensed Private Investigators with valid PI firearms permit, and a California loophole as defined in PC 26050, which allows for any person to carry a loaded firearm while making or attempting to make a lawful arrest.

Here, we also discuss the Lawful transportation of firearms, as per California PC 25610, firearms laws in respect to Tribal Land, and Private Property, as well as the myth of a California Armed Security Guard Card/License being an exception to California firearms carry laws. We'll also discuss firearms safety and carrying rural areas.

Lecture 11

Tracking down and locating a fugitive, or "bail skipper," is also known as "skip tracing," which is just another term for "investigations." This module explores skip tracing, and investigative tools such as the internet, the deep web, and a internet search technique known as "Google Dorking." We will also talk about the advantages of social media, social engineering, and canary tokens, and their utilization in our pursuit of fugitives. 

Lecture 12

Report writing is paramount to good investigative practices. This module will familiarize students with good report writing practices, use of databases, memory techniques, body cameras, audio recording devices, photography, and meta-data.

Lecture 13

In this module students will learn about less-lethal weapons which can be used for pain compliance and/or incapacitation. Here, we will also discuss the use of Tasers and OC (Oleoresin Capsicum), Stun Guns, and Batons. In addition, we'll also discuss the dangers of Tasers, such as "Exited Delirium," and circumstances in which different less-lethal weapons would be preferred over other means of force.

Lecture 14

Additional training and education is imperative for anyone pursuing the work of a bounty hunting, and may include firearms training, first aid & CPR, surveillance, facial recognition, physiognomy, identification documents (ID recognition), crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), verbal judo and negotiations, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), body language, proxemics, and psychology.

Lecture 15

In this learning domain we discuss bulletproof vests (body armor) and the different levels of protection offered by body armor (level I, IIA, II, IIIA, III, and IV), mechanical wrist restraints and mechanical leg restraints, first aid kits, safety goggles, body cameras, radios, duty belts and accessories (miscellaneous items such as holsters), and the importance of duty gear, especially that which takes priority over other duty items and articles.

Lecture 16

Considerations include criminal and civil penalties, fines/fees, and loss of licensing for bail agents, bail companies, and private investigators. Also, criminal charges can further impact you as a Bounty Hunter, as certain criminal offenses could disqualify you from being California PC 1299 compliant, and/or effect your rights to possess firearms, etc.

Lecture 17

Bounty Hunting is dangerous, as here we discuss the many case examples of bounty hunting gone wrong and what you can do to minimize the risk involved, and things to keep in mind while bounty hunting so that you can do your job.

Lecture 18

A recap of the training curriculum, reinforcing the topics encompassed in this education presentation, including; What is Bounty Hunting? California PC 1299, California PC 837-Powers to Arrest, Active Listening, Bail Agent Pre-Licensing, Undercover, Carrying Firearms in California, Skip Tracing and Investigations, Documentation, Less-Lethal Weapons, Additional Training, Duty Gear, Consequences and Liability, and Considerations such as Criminal/Civil Penalties, etc..