Research - Peace Officers Research Association of California

As the voice of more than 86,000 peace officers throughout California, PORAC provides an experienced law enforcement perspective on the public safety issues facing our state and nation. Our original research and analyses give lawmakers and other leaders objective data and recommendations to inform their approach to these matters. Our goal is to offer resources that break through the noise and present a clear picture of the impact their legislative and policy decisions have on our officers and communities.

The PEPRA Problem

This report examines how the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) has impacted California’s public safety workforce since its enactment in 2013.

Evaluating Police Consent Decrees

This report examines how consent decrees are implemented in practice and finds that the process often prioritizes procedural compliance over measurable results.

AI in Law Enforcement

Over the past two decades, artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved from academic theory to everyday infrastructure, shaping sectors from finance and healthcare to transportation and national security.

Women in Law Enforcement

In March 2025, during Women’s History Month, PORAC released a research brief highlighting the persistent barriers women face in law enforcement and proposing meaningful reforms to enhance recruitment, retention, and advancement.

Health and Wellness Issues

In January 2025, PORAC released a research brief highlighting the critical mental health challenges faced by law enforcement officers and proposing actionable solutions to support their well-being.

School Resource Officer Issue

In October 2024, PORAC published a new research brief reaffirming the value that school resource officers (SROs) provide in schools to promote a safe learning environment for students across California and provide peace of mind for parents.

Police Staffing Issue

As PORAC members know all too well, levels of sworn personnel have reached dangerously low levels across the state. This is exacerbated by the current political climate, which has created a vicious cycle where recruiting new officers has never been more difficult and burnt-out officers are retiring at record rates.

Decriminalization Timeline

In January 2024, PORAC released a new resource for legislators: a Decriminalization Timeline outlining California’s violent crime trends between 1985 and 2021 that reveals the impact of overreaching criminal justice reforms on public safety.

Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory (RIPA)

Since the inception of the California Department of Justice Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory (RIPA) Board in 2016, PORAC has made several attempts to work with the Board to correct the flawed methodology it has used to achieve its supposed goal of improving the practice of traffic enforcement.

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