Existing law, except for initiatives and referendums, vests the legislative power of this state in the California Legislature, which consists of the Senate and Assembly.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to create a task force to implement guidelines to create a health impacts framework for legislative bill analysis.

Date of Hearing: April 13, 2016

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2624

Author:(Cooper) – As Amended Ver:March 17, 2016

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO), in consultation with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), to conduct a study of community policing and engagement programs, efforts, strategies, and policies in the state, and to report its findings to the Legislature by December 31, 2018.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Cost to the LAO can vary from minor absorbable, if the report will be based on existing literature, to moderate if the LAO is expected to do, or contract for, original research.
2. Cost to POST to serve as a consultant will be around $50,000, based on costs provided on a similar bill last year.

COMMENTS:

1. Background/Purpose. Community policing is generally defined as involving three key components: a) developing community partnerships, b) engaging in problem solving, and c) implementing community policing organizational features. A recent report from the United States Conference of Mayors notes, "Recent events have demonstrated that, despite instituting community policing in many departments and realizing substantial reductions in the crime rate in many cities, mistrust between the police and the communities they serve and protect continues to be a challenge that must be addressed."

According to the author, "AB 1289 helps California take inventory of community policing efforts, programs, policies and best practices statewide in order to reevaluate, recommit, and renew a focus on sustaining and enhancing trusting community-police relationships with all segments of the community."

It is not clear if the LAO will be required to review existing literature and consult POST, or if the study will require the LAO to pay for original research.

1. Prior Legislation: AB 1289 (Cooper) of the 2015 Legislative Session was similar to this bill in that it required the LAO to conduct a study on community policing programs. AB 1289 was substantially amended in the Senate to become a transportation related bill.

Analysis Prepared by: Pedro Reyes / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing:

Chief Counsel: Gregory Pagan

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY

Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr., Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2624

Author:(Cooper) – As Amended Ver:March 17, 2016

SUMMARY:

Requires the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) in consultation with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to conduct a study of community policing and engagement programs, efforts, strategies, and policies in the state, and to report its findings to the Legislature. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires The LAO in consultation with POST to conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of community policing and engagement programs, efforts, strategies, and policies in the state, including, but not limited to, police activities leagues, neighborhood watch programs, and integrated policing.
   
2. Requires the LAO and POST to report its findings with regard to the study to the Legislature by December 31, 2018.
   
3. States that the report must comply with the requirements for submission of reports by state or local agencies.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes POST. (Pen. Code, § 13500.)
   
2. Empowers POST to develop and implement programs to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement.  (Pen. Code, §13503.)
   
3. Authorizes POST, for the purpose of raising the level of competence of local law enforcement officers, to adopt rules establishing minimum standards related to physical, mental and moral fitness and training that shall govern the recruitment of any peace officers in California.  (Pen. Code, § 13510, subd. (a).)
   
4. Requires POST to conduct research concerning job-related educational standards and job-related selection standards to include vision, hearing, physical ability, and emotional stability and adopt standards supported by this research.  (Pen. Code, § 13510, subd. (b).)
   
5. Requires POST to establish a certification program for peace officers, which shall be considered professional certificates.  (Pen. Code, § 13510.1, subd. (a).)
   
6. Requires POST to undertake a feasibility study when a person or persons desire peace-officer status, or a person or persons desire a change in peace-officer designation or status. (Pen. Code, § 13540.)
   
7. Requires POST to develop regulations and professional standards for the operation of law enforcement agencies. (Pen. Code, § 13551.)

FISCAL EFFECT:

Unknown

COMMENTS:

1. Author's Statement: According to the author, "AB 1289 helps California take inventory of community policing efforts, programs, policies and best practices statewide in order to reevaluate, recommit, and renew a focus on sustaining and enhancing trusting community-police relationships with all segments of the community."
   
2. Community Policing: "Community policing is, in essence, a collaboration between the police and the community that identifies and solves community problems. With the police no longer the sole guardians of law and order, all members of the community become active allies in the effort to enhance the safety and quality of neighborhoods. Community policing has far-reaching implications. The expanded outlook on crime control and prevention, the new emphasis on making community members active participants in the process of problem solving, and the patrol officers' pivotal role in community policing require profound changes within the police organization. The neighborhood patrol officer, backed by the police organization, helps community members mobilize support and resources to solve problems and enhance their quality of life. Community members voice their concerns, contribute advice, and take action to address these concerns. Creating a constructive partnership will require the energy, creativity, understanding, and patience of all involved." (See U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Understanding Community Policing: A Framework for Action, p. vii.)
   
   A recent report from the United States Conference of Mayors notes, "Recent events have demonstrated that, despite instituting community policing in many departments and realizing substantial reductions in the crime rate in many cities, mistrust between the police and the communities they serve and protect continues to be a challenge that must be addressed." (See Strengthening Police Community Relations in America's Cities, Jan. 22, 2015, <http://www.usmayors.org/83rdWinterMeeting/media/012215-report-policing.pdf>.)
   
   There are many examples of community policing taking place in California. This bill requires POST to conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of community policing and engagement programs, efforts, strategies, and policies in the state.
   
3. POST: POST was created by the legislature in 1959 to set minimum selection and training standards for California law enforcement. (Pen. Code, § 13500, subd. (a).) Their mandate includes establishing minimum standards for training of peace officers in California. (Pen. Code, § 13510, subd. (a).) As of 1989, all peace officers in California are required to complete an introductory course of training prescribed by POST, and demonstrate completion of that course by passing an examination. (Pen. Code, § 832, subd. (a).) POST is also tasked with developing and implementing programs to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement. (Pen. Code, § 13503, subd. (e).)
   
   
4. Prior Legislation: AB 1289 (Cooper) of the 2015 Legislative Session was similar to this bill in that it required the LAO to conduct a study on community policing programs. AB 1289 was substantially amended in the Senate to become a transportation related bill.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

American Civil Liberties Union

Opposition

None

Analysis Prepared by:

Gregory Pagan / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744