The Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) has introduced legislation to increase positive communication between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Numerous discussions between rank and file law enforcement agencies resulted in the drafting of Assembly Bill 1428, relating to peace officer transparency, by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell).

Co-sponsored by CAHP, PORAC, LAPPL, ALADS, LAPPOA, the Riverside Sherriff’s Association and the Los Angeles Deputy Probation Officers’ Union (AFSCME Local 685), AB 1428 is a response to citizen’s concerns over officer-involved shootings, serious uses of force and subsequent legislation that has been introduced in the recent years.

The goal is to develop legislation that deals more responsibly with the critical issue of public safety and provide a better balance of transparency and accountability, while still protecting the safety of officers and victims.

Specifically, this bill:

• Requires each department or agency to provide written notification as to the status of an on-going complaint investigation;
• Requires all county district attorneys, who conduct an investigation of an officer-involved shooting, to publicly report the findings of that investigation; 
• Requires each department or agency to post reports about serious uses of force by their officers;
• Authorizes an agency or department that employs peace officers to establish a mediation program to resolve biased policing complaints;
• Requires each department or agency to publicly post the regulations and procedures for investigating complaints made by members of the public and the disciplinary process for each department.

AB 1428 sheds light on police agencies’ internal and external investigations and seeks to increase accountability and communication between law enforcement and the general public. It is scheduled to be heard in Assembly Public Safety on April 18th.