California advances bill to strip badges from bad officers

By DON THOMPSON
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Bad law enforcement officers could permanently lose their badges under a bill that was advanced by California lawmakers. The vote on Friday came nearly a year after a similar measure died in the waning hours of the legislative session. California remains one of just four states without a way of decertifying officers despite nationwide protests over the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis that have driven reform efforts. The state Assembly approved what has become the marquee criminal justice reform measure of this legislative session. That sends a softened version back to the Senate for a final vote before the Legislature adjourns for the year on September 10th.