Law Enforcement Legislative Day Hits on Hot Topics

By Shaun Rundle, Legislative & Region Affairs Representative. Nearly 200 members of California’s law enforcement community descended upon Sacramento last week for the 25th Annual Alliance of California Law Enforcement Legislative Day. Speakers and panels at the event focused on the responses within the profession to state and federal law enforcement mandates, as well as looming 2017 legislation. Immigration, police and community relations, law enforcement operational transparency, marijuana enforcement and offender reclassifications were among the legislative topics discussed. Attendees were privy to several legislative proposals that may further hinder law enforcement’s ability to effectively protect California’s streets.

The event opened with leaders of the organizing associations providing an overview of their legislative and policy priorities. CPOA President, Captain Marc Coopwood of Sacramento Police Department, announced CPOA’s opposition to SB 54. This is the bill from Senator Kevin de León that the media has dubbed the “sanctuary state” bill. Our association opposes the bill along with the California State Sheriffs’ Association (CSSA).

SB 54 essentially limits local law enforcement, particularly sheriffs, the ability to respond to transfer and notification requests from ICE or federal immigration agencies. Several sheriffs around the state have expressed concerns over potential rises in crime when illegal violent offenders can bypass federal enforcement. Various law enforcement speakers at the event noted that while California agencies are not performing immigration sweeps, we cannot be silent on any efforts to cut off communications with federal partners.

Public safety advocates also discussed SB 21 by Senator Jerry Hill of San Mateo. This bill would force local agencies to disclose at a public meeting all types of surveillance technology it employs. This includes ALPRs, closed-circuit cameras, drones with cameras, GPS trackers, and facial recognition technology. CPOA has conveyed to the author and several members of the Legislature our concerns over criminal access to these surveillance uses under SB 21, as well as how such public reporting would potentially hinder acquisitions and approval of new technology uses to keep communities safe.

Legislative Day’s closing public safety panel consisted of Chief Cynthia Renaud from Folsom PD, Sheriff Jay Varney of Madera County, and Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert. The panelists were asked about marijuana enforcement and community relations building. Coffee with cops and police emersion into community programs were discussed as solutions to retain community relations, while in regards to marijuana enforcement, Sheriff Varney mentioned how code enforcement officers accompany his deputies to marijuana grow calls.

Governor Jerry Brown, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, and Bureau of Cannabis Regulation Chief Lori Ajax also spoke to the crowd about their priorities. The resounding theme was all of us needing to work together to find common ground on solutions that best serve public safety in California. Attendees were reassured throughout while difficulties will always be there, so too will California law enforcement standing together to get things done. We have before and we will again.