Gov. Jerry Brown on Sunday signed a bill making records of police misconduct across California public in certain cases, including when an officer has been found to have committed sexual assault while on duty.
Senate Bill 1421, from Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, allows the public to access records in cases where findings have been sustained against an officer for sexual assault, dishonesty, or causing death or great bodily injury, reports the San Francisco Examiner.
"When incidents such as a police shooting occurs, the public has a right to know that there was a thorough investigation," Skinner said in a statement. "Without access to such records, communities can't hold our public safety agencies accountable."
The legislation was just one of the bills that Brown signed to further police reform across the state.
The governor also signed Assembly Bill 748, from Assemblymember Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, requiring the release of body-camera footage within 45 days of a critical incident such as a police shooting.
"The Governor's signature on AB 748 signifies a strong commitment to police transparency in California," Ting said in a statement. "Public access to body-camera footage is necessary to boost confidence and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve."
