Ben Therriault
PORAC Vice President
Taking on New Challenges in 2026: Advancing Pro-Law-Enforcement Legislation
As we look toward 2026, one thing is clear: the legislative environment facing California’s peace officers will continue to be complex, fast-moving and often adversarial. Yet it is precisely in these moments of challenge that PORAC has always risen to meet the moment. The coming year will demand renewed focus, strategic discipline and unity across our associations as we work to advance meaningful, pro-law-enforcement legislation.
At the center of that work is one unavoidable reality: reforming the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) must be our top legislative priority.
More than a decade after its passage, PEPRA has proven to be deeply flawed for public safety employees. While it was sold as a reasonable fiscal reform, PEPRA has instead created a two-tier system that undermines recruitment, retention and long-term workforce stability, especially in policing. The result is a generation of officers who face diminished retirement security while being asked to perform one of the most demanding and dangerous jobs in government.
If California is serious about addressing its public safety staffing crisis, PEPRA reform must be part of that conversation. Agencies across the state are struggling to hire and retain officers, and younger candidates are increasingly choosing other careers or leaving California altogether. No amount of rhetoric about “community safety” can overcome a retirement system that discourages people from committing to a lifelong career in public service. In 2026, PORAC will continue pushing for targeted, responsible changes to PEPRA that recognize the unique nature of peace officer work and restore parity, predictability and fairness.
Beyond PEPRA, the broader legislative landscape remains challenging. Over the past several years, peace officers have experienced unprecedented scrutiny, shifting legal standards and policy changes that too often fail to reflect the realities of policing. Legislation impacting use of force, internal affairs investigations, decertification standards, staffing mandates and civilian oversight has fundamentally altered the profession. While accountability and transparency are essential, the pendulum has swung too far when laws undermine due process, officer safety and professional judgment.
In 2026, PORAC’s legislative priorities must continue to focus on restoring balance. One key area will be ensuring that laws governing peace officers are grounded in professional standards rather than political pressure. Officers who follow POST-certified training, departmental policy and constitutional law should not face career-ending consequences based on hindsight. PORAC will continue advocating for legislation that ties legal protections to training compliance, good-faith conduct and sound decision-making in rapidly evolving situations.
Labor rights and due process will remain another critical focus. Peace officers are public employees, and the steady erosion of fundamental labor protections through legislation has real consequences. From shortened disciplinary timelines to lowered standards of proof, recent changes have tilted the scales away from fairness. PORAC will work to reinforce due process protections that ensure investigations are evidence-based, impartial and free from political influence.
We must also confront emerging issues, including artificial intelligence, surveillance tools and data-driven policing. These technologies have the potential to enhance public safety but only if implemented responsibly. PORAC will continue advocating for mandatory meet-and-confer requirements whenever new technology impacts working conditions, discipline or officer evaluation.
None of this work happens in isolation. Legislative success depends on strong local associations, informed members and consistent engagement with lawmakers. Every conversation matters, especially when it comes to explaining why PEPRA reform, due process and professional standards are essential to the future of public safety.
Taking on new challenges in 2026 does not mean abandoning our values. It means recommitting to them. With unity, preparation and resolve, PORAC will continue to lead because the future of policing in California depends on it.