Bad cops could lose their badges under new California law
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
SACRAMENTO California will create a police decertification process, joining 46 other states that have a system to strip officers of their badges for professional misconduct.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed SB2, by state Sen. Steven Bradford, D-Gardena (Los Angeles County), which will allow state regulators to revoke the licenses of officers who commit serious misconduct, including using excessive force, committing sexual assault, displaying bias and participating in a law enforcement gang.
The policy has long been sought by activists to prevent officers who are punished by one agency from simply moving to another jurisdiction, and it became a legislative priority in response to last years racial justice demonstrations.
Newsom signed the bill during a ceremony in Gardena, surrounded by weeping families who chanted the names of their sons and brothers who had been killed by police.
Read more: https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Bad-cops-could-lose-their-badges-under-new-16499739.php
Note: paywall at the link.
There's going to be a battle over details. But it's a start.
AZLD4Candidate
(5,558 posts)Thank you, Gov. Newsom.
mountain grammy
(26,568 posts)the police unions are only about protecting police power and racist cops.
bluestarone
(16,720 posts)I FULLY agree with your thoughts! I'm very sure these BAD COPS will someday join TFG'S army!
Evolve Dammit
(16,632 posts)Jedi Guy
(3,171 posts)Police unions have their uses, just like any other union, but they need to stop defending officers no matter what, even when they're patently guilty.
The union where I work is like that and it drives me insane. I've had situations where an employee has done something wrong, the evidence is unquestionable, and the union defends them anyway.
As an example, a while back an employee and a supervisor were in the lunchroom together having a conversation, and at some point the employee called the supervisor a c**t to her face. The union defended the employee because she was on her own time as it was her lunch. Another was caught repeatedly in blatant time theft, and the union defended them, too.
Anywhere else I've ever worked, union or not, that would've resulted in consequences. But the union goes to bat, no matter what.
SunSeeker
(51,367 posts)whopis01
(3,467 posts)AllaN01Bear
(17,355 posts)Evolve Dammit
(16,632 posts)actions/ behaviors witnessed. I suspect the same is true of lawyers and cops.
LiberalFighter
(50,491 posts)And require any law enforcement agency to make sure anyone they are considering are not in the database.
I think there should be a requirement that any federal funding for law enforcement agency requires those law enforcement agencies meet minimum standards to be eligible.
Auggie
(31,060 posts)Thats a good idea, because in some states, theyre so desperate for bodies, they keep people on that should be fired, Goldman said.
In order to have "a provision that also prohibits hiring officers who have been decertified in other states" there would have to be a national database of some kind. If not, then a very thorough vetting process.
LiberalFighter
(50,491 posts)Auggie
(31,060 posts)Maybe it's part of the legislation or provides funding for something similar
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Its about time!
BlueIdaho
(13,582 posts)Until they start actively cleaning up their own ranks they are co-conspirators.
cannabis_flower
(3,764 posts)ancianita
(35,812 posts)other states.
I only found three that pass similar laws -- CO, IA and NY in 2020 (quick map below; can't find any others) -- and lots "discussing" and having bills about it, but no others since. Police unions are the likely reason.
Auggie
(31,060 posts)ancianita
(35,812 posts)About California, this is all good news, but Americans should not be fooled by the Chronicle's first sentence into thinking that police reform laws are now the national norm. They're not.