Police Reform Bill Faces Growing Opposition Days Before The Session Ends
August 28, 2020
On Thursday, a bill that would require police officers to be certified and more liable for their actions while on the job met growing opposition in the Assembly.
Opposition mounts against SB 731
Senate Bill 731, authored by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), would create a commission that would oversee certifying and decertifying police officers. Beginning in 2021, police officers would need a certificate, renewable every two years, to work in a police department in California. Certification would be revoked if the officer in question is involved in major crimes such as use of excessive force, sexual assault, making a false arrest, or participating in a law enforcement gang. A Peace Officer Standards Accountability Division would also be created to oversee the investigation side of the new commission.