California lawmakers push for police decertification, more transparency again

State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, reintroduced a bill on Monday that would expand and strengthen public access to police records. Because of her previous bill, SB 1421, the public now has access to police records if there are sustained findings in three categories: dishonesty, sexual misconduct with a civilian or if an officer causes great bodily injury. 

Skinner's new bill, SB 26, would open public access to many more records. 

Specifically, the bill would make public records of officers who are found to be engaged in biased or discriminatory behavior, conducted unlawful arrests or searches, or used force that is excessive or unreasonable. Additionally, Skinner's bill would 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.

The legislation would also establish civil penalties -- up to $1,000 a day -- for agencies that fail to release records in a timely manner and mandate that agencies can only charge for the cost of duplicating records. 

“Communities deserve tools to hold law enforcement accountable. Expanding and strengthening access to police records is one such tool,” Skinner said in a statement. “This legislation also shines a light on officers who have a history of racist, discriminatory, or abusive behavior.”  

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