Sen. Skinner’s Police Records Bill Wins Support from Major Entertainment Coalition

SB 776, a bill by Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, that would expand and strengthen public access to police records, has garnered support from a large coalition of 500 music artists and entertainers. The entertainment coalition previously backed a successful police reform campaign in New York.

“I am truly honored that the musicians and entertainers who played a pivotal role in overturning New York’s police secrecy law are now focusing their support on SB 776,” Sen. Skinner said. “By opening access to records on a police officer’s use force, racist acts, or wrongful arrests and searches, SB 776 gives communities the tools they need to hold police accountable.”

The entertainment coalition includes members of American Association of Independent Music; Artist Rights Alliance; Music Artists Coalition; SAG-AFTRA; and the Recording Industry Association of America. Earlier this year, the coalition, which includes renowned recording artist, songwriter and philanthropist Aloe Blacc, mounted a successful campaign to repeal New York’s police secrecy law, 50-a.

In California, the entertainment coalition is also backing SB 731 by Sen. Steven Bradford, D-Gardena. SB 731 would allow the state to decertify officers who have engaged in serious misconduct so that they can no longer work in law enforcement.

“We all felt pain and grief when we saw police officers murder George Floyd. We were retraumatized by the murder of Breonna Taylor by police who have yet to be charged. Today we come together to fight injustice and demand that lawmakers act now to hold police accountable for misconduct, brutality, and murder,” Aloe Blacc said.

SB 776 builds on SB 1421, a 2018 law by Sen. Skinner that narrowly opened public access to police records for the first time in four decades in California. SB 776 would also address the tactics that agencies have used to stall or circumvent the release of records by establishing civil penalties and punitive damages for those who fail to release records. It would also ensure that officers with a history of misconduct can’t just quit their jobs, keep their records secret, and move on to continue bad behavior in another jurisdiction.

“SB 776 tells law enforcement agencies loud and clear: Secrecy is no longer acceptable,” Skinner added. “Californians have a right to know when officers use excessive force, commit serious misconduct, or exhibit racist behavior.”

Sen. Nancy Skinner represents the 9th Senate District and is the Senate majority whip. She is also the chair of the Senate Public Safety policy and budget committees.