Will California Strip Problematic Officers Of Their Badges?

The proposal is part of a sweeping reform effort by the state

Will California Strip Problematic Officers Of Their Badges?

Over the past 6 weeks, the issue of police officers who use excessive force or engage in problematic behavior has led to nationwide protests. In California, “problem cops” have been a subject of intense debate for more than a year, after news organizations released an investigative series that showed that police officers can continue to work in the state even with criminal convictions and other types of misconduct on their records.

In mid June, Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced a new proposal to decertify police officers who have engaged in serious misconduct. At the same time, Becerra called on law enforcement agencies to adopt use-of-force reforms to ban chokeholds, carotid restraints and other holds that would cut off blood or oxygen to a person. He also called for a ban on officers shooting at people inside of a moving vehicle unless there is an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury to an officer.

As a criminal lawyer in Los Angeles County, CA can explain, misconduct among law enforcement officers is an issue that often arises in criminal cases. Last year, a report on “California’s Criminal Cops” was released, showing that there are more than 80 police officers working in the state despite having a prior criminal conviction. Because so many criminal cases turn on the testimony of police officers, this sort of information is critical to determining the trustworthiness of law enforcement.

Becerra did not provide specifics for his proposal to decertify problem police officers. Instead, he noted that he has been working with legislators, and that the state’s police union is also willing to work on these reforms.

In 2018, the California Legislature passed the Right to Know Act, which gives the public the right to see certain records related to police misconduct and serious use of force. Under this law, your criminal lawyer in Los Angeles County, CA can request specific records related to the law enforcement officers in your case. These records include:

  • Records related to any incident where a law enforcement officer fired a gun at a person, or used force that resulted in serious injury or death;
  • Records related to incidents where the law enforcement agency found that an officer committed sexual assault against a member of the public; and
  • Records related to incidents where the agency found that an officer engaged in dishonesty in an investigation, reporting, or prosecution of crime, or in police misconduct, such as planting evidence.

These types of records can be helpful in establishing a defense to the charges against you. In addition, if the legislature moves forward with a bill that would allow the state to decertify police officers with a history of misconduct, these problematic cops would no longer be able to work in law enforcement.

If you have been charged with a crime in California, the Chambers Law Firm is here for you. We will thoroughly investigate the charges against you to put together a strong factual and legal defense, which may include requesting records about the law enforcement officers involved in your case. Reach out today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free consultation with a criminal lawyer in Los Angeles County, CA.

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