BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A groundbreaking police records database is now accessible to the public, enabling individuals to freely search California’s law enforcement agencies for misconduct reports and internal affairs documents.
The new tool, developed by UC Berkeley and Stanford, includes records from over 600 law enforcement agencies across the state. Users can search agencies and filter results by misconduct, use of force, and shootings. Previously, this information was only obtainable through filing a request to an outside agency. This initiative aims to enhance transparency within law enforcement.
In Kern County, 338 cases are listed, with the most recent data from 2022. Of these, 54 cases involve misconduct, 295 involve force resulting in injury or death, and 203 involve shootings. Nearly a decade ago, the Bakersfield Police Department and Kern County Sheriff’s Office were named the deadliest police departments in America, prompting former Attorney General Kamala Harris to launch an investigation into potential civil rights violations. Since then, both departments have made improvements…