Undermining Police Accountability : No wonder opponents label AB 2067 the ‘rogue officers’ bill of rights

The videotaped police beating of Rodney King prompted many state lawmakers to decry a “code of silence” that allowed some of the officers involved to stand around and do nothing. So why did those same legislators vote for a bill now heading to the state Senate that would make it easier for law officers who witness police brutality to keep silent without worrying about being disciplined?

The state Assembly last month overwhelmingly passed the legislation, AB 2067, sponsored by Assemblyman Richard E. Floyd (D-Carson). The bill was pushed by two police unions--the California Council of Police and Sheriffs and the powerful California Correctional Peace Officers Union, which happens to make large political contributions.

As the law stands now, police officers have plenty of protections under the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bills of Rights. Officers can refuse to talk to investigators, but they face demotion or termination.

AB 2067 would change the law to prevent law enforcement agencies from even keeping records of allegations of misconduct--thus hampering the ability of a department to track conduct patterns of potential problem officers.

The revised requirements would make disciplining police harder, and reduce accountability. This law would, in effect, allow officers with repeated discipline infractions to thumb their noses at investigators. No wonder opponents have labeled AB 2067 the “rogue officers” bill of rights. California police chiefs, sheriffs and other law enforcement managers oppose this bill. In an unusual alliance, the American Civil Liberties Union also objects, saying the measure would make it harder to investigate allegations of police misconduct.

Because of the King beating and controversial shootings by sheriff’s deputies, police misconduct remains a hot-button issue in Los Angeles. That’s why it’s so troubling that local representatives in the Assembly, including Marguerite Archie-Hudson, Gwen Moore, Richard Polanco, Willard H. Murray Jr., Lucille Roybal-Allard and Curtis Tucker Jr., all minority members, voted for this measure. What gives?

The majority of law enforcement officers do tough and valuable work. A few abuse their authority. In the aftermath of the King beating, the Legislature should make it harder--not easier--for law enforcement officers to violate the public trust.