Latest news with #PORAC
San Francisco Chronicle
05-05-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bill banning deals that hide police misconduct, prompted by Chronicle investigation, clears hurdle
A bill that would bar California law enforcement agencies from using secret deals to bury officer misconduct, a widespread and longtime practice exposed in an investigation published last year by the Chronicle, cleared a legislative hurdle Tuesday, passing out of the state Assembly's Public Safety Committee. 'Throughout California, dangerous and dishonest officers are skirting accountability through this practice,' the bill's author, Assembly Member Isaac Bryan, D-Culver City (Los Angeles County), told the committee. The Chronicle investigation 'Right to Remain Secret,' produced with UC Berkeley's Investigative Reporting Program, revealed that at least 163 departments had signed 'clean-record agreements' that concealed allegations of corruption and criminality against nearly 300 officers, helping at least 108 of them to land subsequent jobs in law enforcement or as security guards. The conduct hidden by these agreements included many accusations of serious misconduct, including sexual assault, falsifying police reports and excessive force. In many cases, the departments that agreed to bury the alleged misconduct in secret files did so despite an unwavering belief that the conduct had occurred. As written, the bill would prohibit California law enforcement agencies from agreeing to destroy, remove, halt, modify, or conceal findings of any misconduct and void any of these promises retroactively. Additionally, the bill would make all such agreements disclosable. Currently, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, or PORAC, the state's most powerful law enforcement lobbying organization, is the only group publicly opposing the bill. The California Police Chiefs Association and the California State Sheriffs' Association have not taken a formal position. Testifying in opposition, PORAC's legislative advocate, Randy Perry, told the committee the bill is redundant, saying police accountability bills passed in California within the past decade have addressed this issue. 'Officers that they're using as examples would never be able to be peace officers now. They couldn't go to another department and be hired by somebody else,' Perry told the committee, referencing Senate Bill 2, which permits the state to revoke the licenses of officers accused of serious misconduct. Bryan said that was a 'ridiculous argument,' saying, 'We just have not seen those numbers from the police certification board.' According to a website maintained by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training's website, the agency with the power to revoke licenses, only one officer identified in the Chronicle's investigation has lost his license. As for the provision to make clean-record agreements disclosable, Perry said that the newspaper investigation, by getting access to more than 300 agreements, proved that this part of the bill is also unnecessary. He cited Senate Bill 1421 and Senate Bill 16, laws that for the first time gave the public access to specific police misconduct records. 'This bill is trying to help the press go back and get very old cases,' Perry said. Bryan countered that 'the idea that this information is readily available is false,' noting that one-third of the agencies contacted by the Chronicle and the Investigative Reporting Program refused to disclose all or some of these secret deals, including the 10 largest agencies in the state. In fact, the passage of SB1421 and SB16 were only part of why reporters received many of these agreements. Much of the underlying conduct covered up by the agreements does not fall in the categories of records disclosable under those transparency laws. PORAC has offered an alternative to Bryan's bill — a clarification that any police separation agreements that conceal misconduct described in SB1421 and SB16 are disclosable. It does not propose a prohibition of these agreements. Bryan said the amendment was not sufficient. 'These agreements shouldn't exist. They are against the public interest. They are against public safety. They allow for the worst of the worst to cover that misconduct,' he said. PORAC has advocated for the use of clean-record agreements for years, records show. Almost every agreement obtained by reporters was executed by a small group of attorneys funded by PORAC, which is financed by police unions. Additionally, PORAC's website highlights dozens of examples of these lawyers' success in securing agreements that give officers a 'clean slate.' The bill passed through committee with bipartisan support, with both Republicans on the committee — Juan Alanis of Modesto and Tom Lackey of Palmdale (Los Angeles County) — voting yes. The sole dissenting vote was James Ramos, D-San Bernardino. A spokesperson for the Assembly member did not explain the reason for the no vote but said Ramos is 'seriously reconsidering his vote before the bill comes to the full Assembly floor.' 'These protect the self-described bad apples of the department from whom they would like to separate,' he said. 'We need to end this practice.'
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Initiative launched to show support to women in law enforcement
( —The Peace Office Research Association of California, located in Sacramento, released new research highlighting the importance of women in law enforcement as agencies and organizations launch initiatives to support the recruitment and retention of female officers. PORAC said the new issue brief emphasizes the contributions women in law enforcement make, including strengthening public trust, improving policing outcomes, and fostering safer communities. Video Above: More police recruits are dying during training, AP investigation finds Key takeaways from the brief include: Female Officers Improve Community Policing: Research shows that female officers are linked to decreased use of force, improved community trust, and better outcomes for crime victims. Underrepresentation is a Nationwide Problem: Women make up only 14% of sworn officers, 20% of recruits, and less than 9% of chiefs in state and local law enforcement agencies across the US. Recruitment & Retention Barriers Persist: Workplace cultures, gender biases, and inadequate family support policies can impact recruitment, retention, and advancement for female officers. Enhancing Workplace Policies is Key: To build upon progress and broaden pathways into law enforcement for female officers, agencies must implement workplace policies and resources that support working parents – like increasing on-site childcare options and investing in professional development programs. Meanwhile, women remain underrepresented and continue to face barriers in recruitment, retention, and advancement, according to PORAC. The brief acknowledges the challenges women face and calls for reforms that build better law enforcement. 'Women have long played a crucial role in law enforcement, bringing invaluable skills and perspectives that strengthen public safety,' said Brian Marvel, President of PORAC. 'As we recognize Women's History Month, this report underscores the strides we've made in supporting women in policing while pointing to the ongoing efforts needed to elevate their presence and ensure they have the resources and opportunities to succeed at every level.' Sacramento deputies bust johns, rescue sex workers in trafficking sting PORAC said initiatives across the country are supporting female officers as a way to address the challenges women face in law enforcement. This includes the 30×30 Initiative which is collaborating with agencies to provide resources for female officers. Over 400 agencies, 49 in California, have signed the pledge to increase female representation to 30% by 2030. Meanwhile, the San Diego Police Officers Association's launch of the nation's first law enforcement-focused childcare center, as an additional step to support women in law enforcement. 'We've committed to improving policing – making it fairer, addressing barriers, and ensuring women's unique needs are met,' said Dr. Tanya Meisenholder, Lead of the 30×30 Initiative. 'We examine what attracts women to the profession – and what pushes them out. Our work focuses on recruitment, hiring, and other critical processes and strategies. We help agencies evaluate their policies to ensure fairness and eliminate bias. But the toughest challenge? Transforming organizational culture – changing the way an agency operates from the inside out.' PORAC said they are committed to, 'advocating for policies that ensure female officers have the support, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed in law enforcement.' These policies include: Tailored recruitment efforts Enhanced workplace policies to support working parents Expanded leadership development programs. According to PORAC, as they prioritize these reforms, they can build a stronger, more representative workforce that benefits officers, agencies, and the communities they serve. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Santa Clara County deputy critically injured in head-on crash
(KRON) — A Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office deputy suffered severe injuries in a head-on crash on Valentine's Day, the sheriff's office confirmed to KRON4. The injured deputy, Daniel Arevalos, is in stable condition at Santa Clara County's Valley Medical Center. He has undergone multiple surgeries and his injuries are serious, the Police Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) said. Family remembers Bay Area rapper Dmac after recent death Arevalos has been with SCCSO since 2020. PORAC set up a campaign to raise money for his family with a goal of $50,000. The injured deputy has three children, aged 3, 4 and 10. The crash happened while Arevalos was driving to work, PORAC said. The sheriff's office did not provide information about the location and circumstances of the crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
