California is cracking down on crooked cops by passing a law that prevents them from being rehired with different law enforcement agencies once being terminated for unlawful behavior.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law on Thursday. The California Association of Highway Patrolmen, Los Angeles Police Protective League, the California Peace Officers Association, and other police unions have fought against the bill for a while, which is one reason that it stalled in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.
California’s Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) currently investigates police misconduct. However, under the new bill, a panel of police officers, members of the public, and legal experts will take its place, with the power to “decertify police” personnel for life. POST will not go away completely. Next year, Newsom will assign a new, nine-person POST accountability advisory board constructed of six civilians, two cops, and a lawyer specializing in civilian oversight. They will be tasked with reviewing POST’s probe of the fired officer and recommending a ruling on permanent banning.
This measure is just the latest in a slew of efforts intended to keep problematic cops out of law enforcement for good and restore trust between citizens and police.
