Police Records Made Public and 911 Calls Diverted: 2 Newly Proposed Bills Could Change California Policing Permanently

The California State Senate Monday introduced two new police reform bills that could change the face of state law enforcement.

The first measure would increase public access and use of police conduct records, and the second would direct non-violent 911 calls away from the police and into the hands of medics, social workers, and other non-law-enforcement authorities.

After the murder of George Floyd on Memorial Day of this year, many racial justice activists and allies have called for a change in policing, from the ban of no-knock warrants to redirecting police funds. Among the many reforms suggested was a demand for more transparency within police disciplinary records, and alternative response to 911 calls than the police.

This Monday, State Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), heard the calls for change and proposed two new bills – SB 776 and SB 773.

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