POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

California Assembly Passes Legislation Requiring Attorney General to Investigate Fatal Police Shooting

The version of the law that was sent to the governor leaves the door open for creating an entirely new state-level office to investigate police shootings, rather than the attorney general’s office.

September 2, 2020

California lawmakers have passed a proposal to have the state attorney general or another state prosecutor look into fatal shootings by peace officers.

AB 1506, authored by Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), passed with bipartisan support. Similar measures by McCarty have been squashed twice before, in part because state attorneys general, including Xavier Becerra and Kamala Harris, have opposed having their office oversee police shootings, arguing they lacked the fiscal resources and already had the ability to step in if local investigations were inadequate, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ad Loading...

The version of the law that was sent to the governor leaves the door open for creating an entirely new state-level office to investigate police shootings, rather than the attorney general’s office, which could provide a workaround if the Department of Justice remains reluctant to take on the job. The bill also does not go into effect unless the Legislature approves funding for associated costs.

“Let’s face it, the attorney general hasn’t really expressed an interest in doing this, which is really unfortunate,” McCarty said. “So there are other models out there.”

McCarty was also able to secure passage of Assembly Bill 1185, which clarifies how county boards of supervisors can create oversight commissions for sheriffs. The bill also gives subpoena power to those boards.

More Point of Law

patrolfinder - reducing crime thumbnail
SponsoredOctober 27, 2025

How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management

Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.

Read More →
Point of Law logo with scales of justice in metallic silver text
Patrolby Eric DaigleSeptember 1, 2025

Point of Law: The Limits of Electronic Searches

Can an individual be prosecuted for despicable criminal conduct based on evidence obtained in violation of the United States Constitution? Ultimately, the Ninth Circuit judges wrote, “In the circumstances of this case (United States v. Holcomb, 23-469 (9th Cir. 2025)), respect for the Constitution and the rule of law requires an answer of “no.”

Read More →
PatrolAugust 25, 2025

Trump Issues Order Cutting Federal Funding in Cashless Bail Jurisdictions

<strong>“</strong>Cashless bail policies allow dangerous individuals to immediately return to the streets and further endanger law-abiding, hard-working Americans because they know our laws will not be enforced,” the administration said.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Point of LawJuly 2, 2025

Justice Department Sues Los Angeles Over Sanctuary Policies

The DOJ said in a press release that the “sanctuary city” policies of the City of Los Angeles are illegal under federal law.

Read More →
Point of Lawby Kevin R. MadisonJune 20, 2025

Understanding Officer-Created Jeopardy

Officers can be criminally prosecuted for using force when their actions led to escalation during contact with subjects.

Read More →
Point of LawJune 18, 2025

Point of Law: The Limitations of Search Warrants

In the Tenth Circuit case of Cuervo v. Sorenson, the Court ruled officers cannot deviate from the language of the warrant.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Point of LawMay 21, 2025

DOJ Dismisses Consent Decrees Affecting Louisville and Minneapolis Police

The Civil Rights Division will be taking all necessary steps to dismiss the Louisville and Minneapolis lawsuits with prejudice, to close the underlying investigations into the Louisville and Minneapolis police departments.

Read More →
Point of LawApril 28, 2025

New Michigan Bill would Give Officers Civil Immunity in Self-Defense Cases

House Bill 4404 would create a presumption of civil immunity for individuals who are cleared criminally after using force in self-defense, shifting the burden of proof onto plaintiffs.

Read More →
Point of LawApril 8, 2025

Seattle to Pay Police Captain $1 Million to Settle Lawsuit

Seattle police Capt. Eric Greening sued former Chief Adrian Diaz last year alleging that Diaz retaliated when Greening brought up concerns about racial and gender discrimination.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Point of LawMarch 13, 2025

Washington Agencies Ordered to Not Delete Critical Facebook Contents

Jim Leighty, a local activist, filed two federal lawsuits last year claiming both agencies deleted or hid critical comments he had written below multiple posts, while keeping comments that were pro-police in nature.

Read More →