If an ACO wants to carry tear gas or any other non-lethal chemical agent in the course of his/her employment, what training class must the ACO first complete?

• A. Two-hour course per PC 22835
• B. Four-hour safety course
• C. One-hour ethics course
• D. Eight-hour weapons safety course

Answer: (A)

Carrying tear gas or other non-lethal chemical agents is governed by a specific training requirement in California law. Before an ACO may carry these agents on the job, they must complete the two-hour training course mandated by Penal Code 22835. This course is designed to ensure understanding of safe handling, storage, transport, and the legal and safety responsibilities that come with possessing and potentially deploying chemical agents. The other listed trainings don’t satisfy this particular statutory prerequisite—they cover different topics or longer programs that aren’t tied to chemical agent possession. So the two-hour course per Penal Code 22835 is the correct and required training before carrying such agents.