“For years, California law has shrouded police misconduct and use of force in unnecessary secrecy, leaving communities desperate for answers about what really happened,” said Peter Bibring of the American Civil Liberties Union, which supported the legislation. “SB 1421 is a long overdue step toward making police more transparent and accountable.”
The California State Sheriffs’ Association said the bill could erode officer privacy and create significant expenses for local agencies.
“Mandating that records be released no later than 18 months from the date of the use of force could jeopardize the integrity of a pending investigation or criminal proceeding,” the association said in a floor alert to all California senators.
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