TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding, and all other necessary documents, with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, to provide them documents released via a third-party Senate Bill 1421 California Public Records Act request. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Effective January 1, 2019, California Senate Bill 1421 (SB 1421) substantially changed state law with regard to the release of police documents, audio, and video records. Specifically, SB 1421 allows for the release of previously confidential peace officer personnel records. These mandates revise statutes under the California Public Records Act (CPRA).
To comply with SB 1421, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) responds to CPRA requests by sharing appropriately redacted and responsive documents via the Department’s website.
City Council approval is requested to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (LACDA). As the LACDA and LBPD are joint members of the prosecution team, this MOU will ensure that SB 1421 documents released by LBPD via a CPRA request to a third party are also made available to the LACDA.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Sarah E. Green on March 27, 2020 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on March 26, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 21, 2020, to ensure the MOU is in place expeditously.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or local impact associated with this recommendation. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERT G. LUNA
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
ACTING CITY MANAGER