McCarty Introduces Legislation to Bring Transparency to Police Shootings
Bill would require independent panel to investigate civilian shootings
(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Under legislation introduced today, cases like those of Eric Garner and Michael Brown in California would be investigated by a state independent law enforcement panel rather than a local district attorney. AB 86 (McCarty, D-Sacramento) would require that any officer-involved shooting that results in the death of a civilian must be reviewed by an independent law enforcement panel established within the California Department of Justice. The bill further requires the results of the investigation be submitted to the district attorney where the incident occurred, and the Attorney General.
“For far too long there has been a cloud of confusion surrounding police shootings, now is the time for California to be a leader on this issue. The creation of an independent police review panel is a common sense solution which will create trust between the police the community,” said Assemblymember McCarty. “District attorneys will no longer have to worry about investigating the police with whom they work so closely. No one should be able to police themselves.”