Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 18-050, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON CALLING FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO AUTHORIZE OR ESTABLISH AN ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE PROGRAM (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
The various District Attorneys' Offices throughout the State of California have significant inconsistency in the investigation and prosecution of peace officers who use deadly. This inconsistency, coupled with numerous highly publicized instances involving the use of deadly force and a low rate of prosecution, leads to a public perception of bias toward peace officers' rights over the rights of individuals. An Advocate for Justice Program authorized or established by the State Legislature may provide consistency in investigating and exercising prosecutorial discretion over matters involving peace officers' use of deadly force.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
WAIVE further reading and ADOPT Resolution No. 18-050, " A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON CALLING FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO AUTHORIZE OR ESTABLISH AN ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE PROGRAM", with the goal of facilitating consistency for the protection of both peace officers' rights and individuals' civil rights in matters involving peace officers' use of deadly force. The program would require that each County have an Advocate for Justice to work side by side with the District Attorneys when evaluating deadly force incidents.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
1. TAKE no action
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IV. BACKGROUND
Mayor Robles requested that staff develop a resolution urging the California Legislature to adopt an Advocate for Justice Program. As proposed, each County would have a Public Advocate for Justice. The Advocate for Justice would be empowered to work side by side with investigators on matters involving peace officers' use of deadly force in order to protect individual civil rights.
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