Bill Text: CA AB1118 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Police officer standards and training: procedural justice.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2016-02-01 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB1118 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB1118-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 1118	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 26, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Bonta

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2015

   An act  to add Section 13515.56 to the Penal Code, 
relating to public safety and law enforcement.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1118, as amended, Bonta.  Public safety and law
enforcement.   Police   officer standards and
training: procedural justice.  
   Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards
and Training, to adopt rules establishing minimum standards relating
to physical, mental, and moral fitness that govern the recruitment
of specified peace officers. Existing law requires the commission to
establish a certification program for those officers.  
   This bill would require every city police officer or deputy
sheriff at a supervisory level or below who is assigned field or
investigative duties to complete a procedural justice training course
certified by the commission within 18 months after the commission
determines that the training curriculum is sufficient. The bill would
require the training to address specified objectives and core
principles, and would require the commission to periodically update
the training course and establish retraining schedule to incorporate
updated course content.  
   Existing law grants specified powers and duties to peace officers
and law enforcement officers.  
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation pertaining to public safety and law enforcement.

   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    Section 13515.56 is added to the 
 Penal Code   , to read:  
   13515.56.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares the following:
   (1) Police training that addresses culture, diversity, mental
illness, youth development, and emphasizes mediation skills, improves
how police relate to the communities that they serve and help
minimize the use of force. The Legislature acknowledges that
procedural justice training has emerged as a best practice for police
departments to build trust with community members and reduce
confrontation. Research suggests that when citizens see the police as
more objective, they are more likely to comply with police
directives.
   (2) Procedural justice emphasizes treating community residents
with respect, and has gained traction as an evidence-based and
cost-effective way to reduce crime. As a result, several law
enforcement agencies throughout the country have implemented
procedural justice training into their academies along with field
training. Procedural justice is based on the following core
principles:
   (A) Fairness and consistency of rule application.
   (B) Impartiality and unbiased decisionmaker neutrality.
   (C) Citizen voice in decisionmaking.
   (D) Transparency and openness in process.
   (3) Police training programs should include content for mitigating
the impact of bias, identifying and properly responding to people
with mental illness, and instill the principles and practices of
procedural justice.
   (b) Every city police officer or deputy sheriff at a supervisory
level or below who is assigned field or investigative duties shall
complete a procedural justice training course certified by the
commission, within 18 months after the commission determines that the
training curriculum is sufficient to satisfy the requirements of
this section. This training shall be offered to all city police
officers and deputy sheriffs as part of continuing professional
training. The training shall address, at a minimum, the objectives
and core principles described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of
subdivision (a).
   (c) The commission shall periodically update the procedural
justice training course required under this section, and shall
establish a retraining schedule to incorporate the updated course
content.  
  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to enact legislation pertaining to public safety and law enforcement.