Sam Spade's San Francisco

A Letter

to every

San Franciscan

from Maya Harris, ACLU-NC Executive Director:

On Monday (last week), the California State Senate passed SB 1019, a bill that would restore public access to records of police misconduct. SB 1019 overturns the California Supreme Court’s recent decision in Copley Press that shut down access to these important records. The bill is now headed for the Assembly and needs more public support to ensure it passes.

We have asked San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to support SB 1019, but he has yet to endorse the measure. His counterparts in other major cities have already pledged their support for the bill, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, and Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates.

San Francisco has a long and proud tradition of strong oversight and support for civilian review of police, through the San Francisco Police Commission and Office of Citizen Complaints. Unless we pass SB 1019, all records and hearings of police misconduct before the San Francisco Police Commission will remain closed to the public.

Tell Mayor Newsom that SB 1019 is important to San Franciscans. Urge him to join the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Sheriff Michael Hennessey, Assemblymember Mark Leno, and Senators Leland Yee and Carole Migden in supporting SB 1019.

Sincerely,

Maya Harris, ACLU-NC Executive Director