Bill > AB354

This bill strengthens the oversight and accountability of peace officers in California by expanding the powers of the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The bill requires POST employees who have access to sensitive law enforcement information to undergo comprehensive fingerprint-based background checks, and authorizes the commission to inspect and duplicate criminal history and telecommunications system information when necessary for its duties. The legislation significantly broadens the definition of "serious misconduct" for peace officers, which can now lead to decertification, including actions such as dishonesty, abuse of power, excessive force, sexual assault, demonstrating bias, participating in "law enforcement gangs," and failing to intercede when another officer uses excessive force. The bill mandates that law enforcement agencies report allegations of serious misconduct within 10 days, maintain investigative records for two years, and provide detailed information about officer separations. Additionally, the commission can now initiate proceedings to revoke a peace officer's certification for conduct that occurred before January 1, 2022, under certain circumstances. The bill is designated as an urgency statute, meaning it goes into immediate effect to help ensure public safety and maintain the integrity of law enforcement agencies.

Budget and Finance, Justice

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