Newsom signs bill to open some police records to watchdogs

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Monday that will allow police watchdogs investigating misconduct to access confidential records of law enforcement personnel, a change that watchdogs say will increase accountability for officers who break the rules.

Los Angeles County advocates and members of the county Sheriff’s Civilian Oversight Commission have lobbied for months for AB 847. The legislation comes in response to what supporters described as efforts by Los Angeles sheriff’s departments and other counties to prevent access to sensitive records.

When it takes effect Jan. 1, the new law will “grant access to confidential personnel records of peace officers and detention officers…to civilian law enforcement oversight boards or commissions during investigations” into officer conduct, according to the bill’s legislative summary.

Hans Johnson, chairman of the Los Angeles County Civilian Oversight Commission, said it was a much-needed change.

“I’m happy because it’s been a long road,” he said in a phone call Monday evening. “Tonight is a moment of vindication.”

The Sheriff’s Department wrote in a statement that “the passage of AB 847 clarifies a long-standing legal issue that has been the subject of dispute between the department and its Civilian Oversight Commission (COC) since its inception.” He added that “the ministry will work with the county council, union representatives and the COC on the implementation of this new law.”

Some law enforcement unions and advocacy groups have criticized the law.

Lt. Steve Johnson, president of the Los Angeles County Association of Professional Peace Officers, said in an email that his organization “fully understands the intent of increased civilian oversight,” but that when “access to confidential records is not protected with precision and accountability, it opens the door to real dangers. Transparency should never come at the expense of personal safety or public trust.”

Newsom’s office did not immediately provide comment Monday.

Johnson said signing the bill is a particularly significant victory for people’s families such as Joseph Pérez And Emmet Brockwho were beaten by LA County sheriff’s deputies in 2020 and 2023, respectively. He also cited the case of Andres Guardadowho was shot and killed by deputies in 2023, “and others who were the subject of efforts by our committee to have records released to us under subpoena regarding the confrontations and beatings of sheriff’s deputies.”

In a phone call Monday evening, Vanessa Perez, Joseph’s mother, called the signing of the law “a big victory not only for Joseph, but for all the families affected by the sheriff’s department.”

Perez said she expects the new law will allow the Civilian Review Commission to review previously banned records on the deputies who beat her son and redact portions of other documents.

She and other members of the general public will not be able to access the records because the law requires “oversight boards to maintain the confidentiality of such records, and would authorize them to hold closed sessions, as specified, to review confidential records,” according to its legislative summary.

Still, Perez hopes his son’s case will benefit from the additional disclosure now allowed under AB 847.

Robert Bonner, a former federal judge and former chairman of the Los Angeles County Civilian Oversight Commission, who said he was abruptly removed from office. earlier this yearwelcomed the signing of the bill in an email Tuesday.

The law “will be critical to holding accountable those who use excessive force against members of the public,” Bonner wrote. “It’s a big deal. It’s a giant step forward for civilian oversight boards.”