Peace officers: confidentiality of records.

Assembly Member Sharp-Collins' legislation expands civilian oversight of law enforcement by granting civilian review boards and county inspectors general access to confidential peace officer personnel records. The bill modifies the California Public Records Act to allow these oversight entities to examine records during investigations of officer conduct while maintaining existing confidentiality requirements.

Under the amended Government Code, counties may establish civilian sheriff oversight boards through either board of supervisors action or voter approval. These boards would receive access to personnel files relevant to their oversight duties and gain subpoena power to compel testimony and document production. The legislation also authorizes counties to create inspector general offices with similar investigative authorities and record access.

The bill preserves key confidentiality protections by requiring oversight entities to maintain the privacy of personnel records in accordance with state law. Boards may conduct closed sessions to review sensitive materials, provided they comply with applicable confidentiality statutes. The amendments specify that these oversight powers do not interfere with sheriffs' departments' investigative functions.

To implement these changes, the bill modifies both the Government Code provisions on county oversight bodies and the Penal Code sections governing peace officer record confidentiality. The legislation maintains existing public disclosure exemptions while creating targeted access for civilian oversight entities conducting official investigations into officer conduct.