Although California is often thought of as a beacon of progressive values, the Golden State is actually one of the most secretive states when it comes to information about police use of force and serious and confirmed misconduct by police. This must change. The public has a fundamental right to know about cases in which officers have been found guilty of committing sexual assault or dishonesty during the investigation, reporting, or prosecution of crimes. That includes confirmed instances of officers lying, planting evidence, or falsifying police reports. Equally important is access to records related to police shootings and other serious or deadly uses of force. We give law enforcement officers tremendous power to stop, detain, arrest, and even use force on members of our communities.
We, the people, have a fundamental right to know how police use – and abuse – their powers. It’s time we reclaim that right with SB 1421.
Sponsors: ACLU of California, Anti Police-Terror Project, Black Lives Matter, California Faculty Association, California News Publishers Association, CURYJ, PICO California, PolicyLink, and Youth Justice Coalition.
California Mother Whose Son was Killed by Police Applauds Committee Approval of Bill to Open Police Records (Aug. 16, 2018)
Community Fact Sheet (April 17, 2018)
Advocates Pledge Support, Applaud Advancement of Police Transparency & Accountability Legislation (April 17, 2018)
California Can Reduce the Number of Police Shootings. Here’s How. (April 16, 2018)
ACLU of California Statement on 2018 Legislation to Hold Police Accountable (April 3, 2018)
Governor Brown - Signed
Assembly Floor - Passed
Assembly Appropriations Committee - Approved
Assembly Public Safety Committee - Approved
Senate Vote - Passed
Senate Appropriations Committee - Approved
Senate Public Safety Committee - Approved
Real change starts with you – and every one of us can help make a difference.