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New law allows for watchdogs to access police personnel files
Los Angeles Times
|October 09, 2025
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Monday that will allow police oversight officials investigating misconduct to access confidential law enforcement personnel records, a change that watchdogs have argued will increase accountability for officers who break the rules.
YANA PASKOVA Getty Images
GOV. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that widens access to confidential law enforcement personnel records.
Los Angeles County advocates and members of the county’s Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission pushed for months in support of Assembly Bill 847. The legislation comes in response to what proponents have described as efforts by sheriff's departments in L.A. and other counties to stymie access to sensitive records.
When it takes effect on Jan. 1, the new law will “grant access to the confidential personnel records of peace officers and custodial officers... to civilian law enforcement oversight boards or commissions during investigations” into officers’ conduct, according to the bill’s legislative summary.
Hans Johnson, the chair of L.A. County’s Civilian Oversight Commission, said it's a much-needed change.
“I'm pleased because this has been a long road,” he said in a phone call Monday night. “Tonight is a moment of vindication.”
This story is from the October 09, 2025 edition of Los Angeles Times.
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