News & Commentary

The Sheriff is considering buying a powerful and invasive camera-toting drone and he’s leaving the public in the dark. Drones, especially with powerful cameras, are ripe for abuse and must never be able to fly under the public radar. Before this drone idea moves any further, there must be public meetings to ask and answer the right questions about powerful and invasive drones and whether they should be flying in our skies, peeking through our windows, and taking pictures and video of our families.
The San Diego Sheriff wants to purchase a drone, according to a press report. Before this idea moves any further, there must be a robust public debate to ask and answer the right questions about these potentially invasive devices and whether they should be used by law enforcement in San Diego County. Community members must have a voice in this important issue – governm

The ACLU is investigating U.S. Border Patrol practices in San Diego and Imperial Counties to determine whether to pursue litigation, and if so, on what issues.

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WHAT SUPPORTERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SB 1286

San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi
Citizens frequently entrust their lives to police officers. In return, we ask for transparency,” said San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi. “Senator Leno’s proposed legislation will allow public access to information regarding officers who have been found to use excessive force and other misconduct. This bill provides potentially life-saving information to citizens while boosting accountability for police departments. In San Francisco, officers with serious misconduct records that should have disqualified them from duty have gone on to harm city residents. Sen. Leno’s bill will help prevent future tragedies."
San Francisco Supervisor Malia Cohen
I applaud Senator Leno for prioritizing transparency and accountability in law enforcement. This legislation is key for strengthening and building trust with the public," said Supervisor Malia Cohen. "San Francisco is already helping pave the way for accessibility to this critical information. If we are not keeping track of this data, then we can't move forward."
San Francisco Police Commissioner L. Julius M. Turman
Being transparent with the public about proven misconduct of our officers, not mere allegations or claims, is not only in step with modern policing, but it demonstrates a level of respect and openness for our community and their right to know who is serving them,” said San Francisco Police Commissioner L. Julius M. Turman. “SB 1286 is necessary to ensure public trust and confidence in our police force.”
California Public Defenders Association (CDPA)
The California Public Defenders Association supports the public’s right to know about police officers who violate the public trust," said Margo George, co-chair of the CPDA legislative committee.
Conference of California Bar Associations (CCBA)
Current law, as interpreted by the Copley Press decision, prevents the public from knowing the depth and extent of misconduct and discipline of police and correctional officers,” said Larry Doyle, Legislative Representative for CCBA. “This undermines public efforts to achieve police accountability and to deter future misconduct. But it also undermines public trust in law enforcement by perpetuating the belief that misconduct is so pervasive that it must be completely shielded from the public eyes. In both these regards, the greater transparency provided by Senator Leno's bill will benefit both the public and law enforcement.”
 

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