“That stupid saying, ‘What you don’t know can’t hurt you,’ is ridiculous. What you don’t know can kill you. If you don’t know that tractor-trailer trucks hurt when hitting you, then you can play in the middle of the interstate with no fear – but that doesn’t mean you won’t get killed.” ― Dave Ramsey, Financial Peace Revisited[i]
The California State Senate passed many measures to ensure public safety transparency. These bills were fast and furious regarding the interactions between public safety organizations and their communities. The goal of these bills is to make it easier for the public to communicate with public safety and understand how agencies operate, therefore increasing transparency. We team up with your agency to review your website to discover any missing or outdated information. We want to help you anticipate and prepare for whatever tractor-trailer truck is heading your way before it’s too late.
Here are a few areas we focus on during a review:
- In November 2020, the California State Senate passed Senate Bill 978 (SB978), which mandates publication of Use of Force Policy, including de-escalation. Additionally, California Penal Code 13650 requires all law enforcement websites in California to publish all current standards, policies, practices, operating procedures, and educational training materials that would otherwise be available to the public pursuant to a California Public Records Act (CPRA) request.
- California Assembly Bill 1475 (AB1475) prohibits law enforcement agencies from posting booking photos on social media of someone arrested for a nonviolent crime unless the agency can provide a compelling argument why it should remain online. It also requires law enforcement agencies to remove a booking photo if the individual’s record is sealed, their conviction is dismissed, expunged, pardoned, or eradicated according to law, or a certificate of rehabilitation is issued.
- The California Consumer Privacy Rights Act (CCPA) directs all websites to have a Term of Service (TOS) by January 1, 2023. For example, suppose an organization or social media manager actively removes “hate speech” and inappropriate language from communal threads and forums; in this case, if there is no notice advising of the policy to remove such posts, there is a possibility of violating a person’s First Amendment rights. Another example is agency-specific handling of posts by the community on social media or department comment sections identifying officers’ names, ID numbers, or home addresses.
As the California Senate and Assembly continue to implement changes for organizational websites, it is essential that your agency is aware of current mandates. While many companies can help with compliance, using one based in California familiar with these mandates, your organization will have a better chance of avoiding those oncoming tractor-trailer trucks. 21 CLETS, LLC is always available to review your website; however, we also work with professionals at TOC Publications, a California-based company, in bringing your website to the next level.
If you are interested in the opportunity to achieve compliance, contact TOC Publications and let them know 21 CLETS, LLC sent you.
