What You Need to Know About California Police Departments' Transparency Legislation

California has some of the strictest police protection of personnel files. These recent laws are an effort to increase public transparency and match the rest of the country. The newest law passed in October, SB 16, focuses on disclosure of files after and investigation.

Investigation Outcomes:

• sustained - the conduct occurred and it was in violation of law or policy

• unfounded - the conduct didn't occur

• exonerated - conduct occurred, but was in compliance with law

• not sustained - we couldn't come to preponderance of evidence

Sustained is the only outcome that is required to be reported on.

Investigation Process

Process: Oakland

Step 1: A complaint is made by either the 1) public, 2) officer self reports, 3) officer’s boss

Step 2: Agenc