"California police officers accused of misconduct are already shielded by some of the strictest confidentiality laws in the country, but state lawmakers are considering adding more layers of secrecy this week. The state Legislature is weighing Assembly Bill 1178, which press advocates and police watchdogs said would drastically expand the number of officers whose personnel records were exempt from public disclosure, essentially gutting police transparency bills passed in 2018 and 2021."
"Pacehco's spokeswoman, Alina Evans, said the bill was amended in the state Senate at the request of the state Department of Justice, and Evans said the bill will not move forward if it is reinserted. Asked for details about why the California Department of Justice pushed for the amendment, a spokesperson for state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said: "We regularly provide technical assistance on legislation, but we can't comment on any specific discussions with legislative offices or committees.""
California lawmakers are considering Assembly Bill 1178, which would limit public access to personnel records for a broader group of officers. Last-minute amendments would permit agencies to withhold records for officers who worked undercover within two years, who received a death threat in the past decade, or who served on state or federal task forces. The bill's sponsor said the measure was originally narrowly aimed at protecting active undercover officers not under investigation. The state Department of Justice requested amendments, and opponents warn the changes could undermine transparency laws enacted in 2018 and 2021.
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