Newsom Signs Bills That Bring Greater Accountability For California Law Enforcement Agencies

OS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Governor Gavin Newsom signed eight new bills into law Thursday in Gardena that will set in motion sweeping changes for law enforcement.

“We have a lot to be proud of, but there are areas where there is nothing to brag about,” Newsom said Thursday.

During the signing, Newsom was flanked by family members of people killed by law enforcement, including the mother of Kenneth Ross Jr., an unarmed man having a mental crisis. Ross Jr. was shot in the back and killed by a Gardena Police officer.

Kenneth Ross Jr., seen here in a cap and gown, was shot in the back and killed by a Gardena Police Officer. SB2 was named in his honor.

Senate bill 2 was named in his honor.

“I’m appreciative. I love that they put in Kenneth’s name and he deserves it. He deserves justice for what happened to him,” said Fouzia Almarou, Ross Jr.’s mother.

Ross Jr.’s death sparked protests across LA. The law named after him creates a database of all officers who are suspended or fired for excessive force dishonesty and racial bias, preventing them from being hired at another department. The officer who killed Ross Jr. had three excessive force complaints in Orange County, but was hired in Gardena anyway.

“SB2 will end the cycle of what I say is the wash, rinse and repeat cycle of police misconduct and ensure all officers in the state of California are held to the same fair and appropriate standards,” State Senator Steven Bradford said.

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