For decades, California police records were among the most secret in the country. That changed with a series of transparency laws that opened officer misconduct records and critical-incident footage to the public. If you need body camera video or police records — for a case, for journalism, or for accountability — the California Public Records Act (CPRA) is the tool.
What agencies must now disclose
SB 1421 (2019) amended Penal Code § 832.7 to require disclosure of records relating to officer-involved shootings, uses of force causing death or great bodily injury, and sustained findings of sexual assault or dishonesty by officers.
SB 16 (2022) expanded that list to include sustained findings of unreasonable or excessive force, failure to intervene against excessive force, biased or discriminatory conduct, and unlawful arrests or searches.
AB 748 requires agencies to release audio and video of "critical incidents" — officer-involved shootings and uses of force causing death or great bodily injury — generally within 45 days, subject to limited extensions for active investigations.
How to make a CPRA request
- Put it in writing. Email or use the agency's records portal (LAPD and LASD both have online systems). No special form is legally required.
- Be specific. Identify the date, time, location, incident or report number if known, and the types of records sought: body-worn camera footage, dash camera video, incident reports, radio traffic, use-of-force reports.
- Cite the statutes. Reference the CPRA (Gov. Code § 7920.000 et seq.), Penal Code § 832.7 as amended by SB 1421 and SB 16, and AB 748 for critical-incident video.
- Track the deadlines. Agencies must respond to a request within 10 days (extendable by 14 days in unusual circumstances) with a determination of whether disclosable records exist.
Common agency tactics: indefinite "we are processing" responses, blanket investigation exemptions, and heavy redactions. A determination letter is not the same as production — agencies must actually produce disclosable records promptly.
When the agency refuses: the CPRA writ
The CPRA is enforced by filing a petition for writ of mandate in superior court. If the requester prevails, the CPRA provides for an award of attorney's fees and costs — which means agencies, not requesters, typically bear the cost of wrongful withholding. This office litigates CPRA writ proceedings against law enforcement agencies to compel disclosure of records, body camera footage, and surveillance data.
Why these records matter in civil rights cases
Body-worn camera footage frequently makes or breaks excessive force and false arrest cases. Records of prior sustained misconduct findings can support claims against agencies. Obtaining records early — before litigation — helps evaluate a case honestly and preserves evidence that agencies might otherwise retain only for limited periods.