Bill > AB354

This bill strengthens the oversight and accountability of peace officers in California by expanding the powers and responsibilities of the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The bill requires POST employees who handle sensitive criminal information to undergo fingerprint-based background checks, and authorizes the commission to access and inspect various types of criminal justice information when necessary for its duties. The legislation defines "serious misconduct" for peace officers, which can lead to suspension or revocation of certification, including actions such as dishonesty, abuse of power, excessive force, sexual assault, demonstrating bias, participating in law enforcement gangs, and failure to intercede when another officer uses excessive force. The bill mandates that law enforcement agencies report within 10 days any complaints, investigations, or incidents involving potential serious misconduct, and requires agencies to maintain investigation records for at least two years. Additionally, the bill allows for the temporary suspension of a peace officer's certification during investigations and provides a process for voluntarily surrendering certification. The urgency statute is intended to immediately improve public safety by enhancing the commission's ability to investigate and hold peace officers accountable for misconduct.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB354