Sep 30, 2020 - Politics & Policy

California passes a swath of police reform laws

Jacob Knutson

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking in Los Angeles in 2019. Photo: Agustin Paullier/AFP via Getty Images

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Wednesday signed collection of policing bills that outlaw the use of chokeholds, allow the state Department of Justice to investigate police shootings and give counties added oversight of sheriff's departments, according to a statement from his office.

Why it matters: The laws add to the wave of reform bills introduced across the U.S. after the May police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Newsom also signed bills related to the state's juvenile justice system and legal protections.

What they're saying: “Americans across the country took to the streets this summer rightfully demanding more and better of our criminal justice system — and of ourselves,” Newsom said.

“We heard those calls for action loud and clear and today are advancing reforms to improve policing practices by ending the carotid hold and requiring independent investigations in officer-involved shootings."

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California passes a swath of police reform laws

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