California institutes new policing accountability measures
California will adopt a series of new legislation banning specific restraint techniques that could cause harm and improving policing accountability and responsibility guidelines. Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation increasing transparency of certain peace officer misconduct records and raising the age requirement for those wishing to become police officers in the state, among other measures.
Senate Bill (SB) 2 by Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Senator Steven Bradford creates a system within the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to investigate and revoke or suspend peace officer certification for serious misconduct, including excessive force, sexual assault, demonstration of bias and dishonesty. This legislation creates the Peace Officer Standards Accountability Division and the Peace Officer Standards Accountability Advisory Board within POST to review serious misconduct cases.