Bakersfield Police Officer's Association files claim in response to SB 1421 to block the release of past records

The Bakersfield Police Officer Association has joined multiple police unions across California by filing a claim in Kern County in an effort to stop the release of specific police records related to Senate Bill 1421. The complaint was filed in response to SB 1421 which was signed into law last September and went into effect at the beginning of the year. The new law requires certain peace officer records be made available for public inspection through the California Public Records Act. Specifically, the public can now request documents related to specific incidents. Those specifics include an officer firing their weapon at a person as well as an incident where use of force by an officer results in death or great bodily injury. The law requires records also be released for an incident where a sustained sexual assault by a peace officer involving a member of the public or an incident where it was determined an officer was dishonest while on duty. The complaint filed on Friday March 13 is asking a judge to stop the city of Bakersfield from releasing records related to incidents prior to January 1, 2019.