California legal term

Peace officer in California Criminal Law

Current through 2026 California legislative session

In California criminal law, “Peace officer” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.

What does “Peace officer” mean in California criminal law?

“Peace officer” means any person specified in subdivision (a) of Section 830.1 or Section 830.5. (Cal. Penal Code § 217.1)

Statutes defining or using this term

Cal. Penal Code § 243
Cal. Vehicle Code § 14602.9
Cal. Penal Code § 25140
Cal. Penal Code § 384b
Cal. Penal Code § 217.1
Cal. Penal Code § 417
Cal. Penal Code § 852.1

Related terms in the same statutes

Department
firearm
arrest
Agency
Offense
information
Custody
firearms
prior
officer
law enforcement agency
imprisonment

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.