We are excited to announce a new video series designed especially to serve our public safety clients. Our short Public Safety Video Briefings will tackle cutting-edge issues and core principles relevant to public safety employers. We hope you find these videos useful and thought-provoking.
California First District Court of Appeal Decision Disagrees With Santa Ana POA Case and Holds That Peace Officers Under Administrative Investigation Are NOT Automatically Entitled to Reports and Complaints Prior to Any Further Interrogation
On April 26, 2021, the First District Court of Appeal published its decision in Oakland Police Officers Association v. City of Oakland (2021) — Cal.App.5th — (“Oakland POA”). The case provides critical guidance regarding what information a law enforcement agency must provide to a peace officer before conducting a second or subsequent interrogation
New Ruling Expands Liability for Using Excessive Force and Broadens the Basis for Disciplining Police Officers in California
In 2017, a police officer with the City of Huntington Beach (“Officer Esparza”) saw a man standing on a sidewalk who caught his attention (“Mr. Tabares”). Officer Esparza noticed Mr. Tabares wore a sweater on a warm day, walked abnormally, made flinching movements with his hands, and looked in his direction several times. A former
Peace Officer Certification Standards Have Changed, and Decertification is Likely on the Horizon
All California peace officers must meet initial standards set by the Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training (POST). Those standards have recently been expanded, and more change may be coming.
AB 846, effective January 1, 2021, modified Government Code section 1031 to require that a peace officer be free of bias against race or
LCW to Present Nine Workshops at the 2020 Annual CALPELRA Virtual Conference
We are pleased to present and sponsor the 2020 Annual CALPELRA Conference taking place virtually this week (November 16 – 20)! Don’t miss our nine scheduled conference presentations by our expert speakers. Topics include negotiating in difficult times, telecommuting issues, public safety disability accommodations, and much, much more.
November 16
10:15am – 11:00am || The
Governor Newsom’s Extension of the Public Safety Officer Bill of Rights Act One Year Statute of Limitations in Jeopardy Following Sutter County Superior Court Decision
Since Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 4, 2020, he has issued more than 50 executive orders. Some of those orders directly impact existing statutory law.
In a recent challenge to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-67-20 on elections, Sutter County Superior Court Judge Sarah H.
The Top Five Public Safety Blogs of 2020 (So Far)
We’re rounding up the top 5 public safety blogs of 2020, with topics ranging from formerly incarcerated persons being trained as firefighters, COVID-19 testing in law enforcement settings, and much more! If you’re still wanting to learn more about recent public safety legislation, be sure to check out our Webinar-on-Demand, “2021 Legislative Update for
Issues Public Employers Face During Mass Protest – Question and Answer
Our nation continues to react to the death of George Floyd, and this reaction includes the thousands who have participated in mass protests across the country. Many people feel compelled to speak openly and passionately about an issue of national importance. Public employees likely wish to express their views as well, and this includes not
COVID Briefing: COVID-19 Testing and Law Enforcement
This COVID Briefing was authored by J. Scott Tiedemann and Paul D. Knothe.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, law enforcement professionals bravely continue to perform their duties and come in regular contact with the public, potentially exposing themselves to the virus. Concerned for the safety of their officers and the communities they serve, law
COVID Briefing: Legal Issues with Taking Employee Temperatures
This COVID Briefing was authored by J. Scott Tiedemann and Paul D. Knothe.
A fever, which is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as 100.4°F/38°C or higher, is a symptom and key indicator of COVID-19. Many employers, including law enforcement agencies, are already taking or are considering taking employees’ temperatures