Gov. Newsom Signs Landmark Police Accountability Bill Into Law

Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sept. 30  signed into law a bill that will hold police accountable for violating civil rights in the State of California.

Authored by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) and Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), Senate Bill 2 will end absolute immunity for officials who engage in malicious prosecution, injure, or kill people in custody, as well as those who intentionally deny medical care to inmates in jails or prison. The bill also creates a statewide decertification system for police, preventing officers who have been charged with serious misconduct—excessive force, sexual misconduct, dishonesty—from simply relocating to another community.

The Kenneth Ross Jr. Police Decertification Act of 2021 (SB 2) is named for an unarmed Black man who was shot and killed in broad daylight by Sergeant Michael Robbins, a Gardena police officer wielding an automatic rifle. Kenneth Ross was Sergeant Robbins’ fourth victim. Sgt. Robbins remains a police officer to this day and has faced no accountability for his actions.

Prior to SB 2, numerous state-level governmental immunities in California made it enormously difficult for citizens or the families of victims to seek recourse after their rights, or their loved ones’ rights, were violated by law enforcement personnel. These immunities protect officers who act outside of the law they are charged to uphold and devalue the rights of the civilians they swear to protect. 

SB 2 eliminates some of those state-level immunities, creating an avenue for individuals to exercise their civil rights and seek justice.

California joins Colorado, New Mexico, Connecticut and New York City in passing civil rights legislation that ensures law enforcement officers can be held accountable in court for wrongdoing and that victims have clear pathways to justice. Legislation addressing law enforcement immunities and the civil rights of victims of police misconduct has been introduced in a number of other states in the last year, including New York, Washington and Louisiana.