SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Law enforcement agencies across San Diego County must comply with a new law designed to increase transparency of police misconduct.
Senate Bill 1421 requires departments to release records of officer-involved shootings and major uses of force, officer dishonesty and confirmed cases of sexual assault to the public.
Earlier this year several police associations in San Diego County sued to block the release of records, arguing Senate Bill 1421 doesn’t contain any express provision or language requiring retro-activity or any clear indication that the legislature intended the statue to operate retroactively.
They claimed the bill eliminates the longstanding statutory confidentiality of specified peace officer or custodial officer personnel records.
In March a judge ruled the bill applies retroactively to all personnel records of peace officers not only now but before January 1, 2019.
The Judge ruled no records could be released before March 29 giving the unions time to appeal if they want. It does not appear any have appealed.
Some agencies tell 10News they plan to start releasing records this week.
10News is still waiting to hear from other local agencies about when they are planning to release records.
