KFBK Talk Radio Host John McGinness Interviews David E. Mastagni on AB 931

KFBK Talk Radio Host John McGinness interviewed Mastagni Holstedt partner David E. Mastagni on August 30, 2018 about AB 931, the proposed state law that would have radically changed officer use of force standards.  The bill stalled in the State Assembly yesterday when Speaker Toni Atkins shelved the bill for this legislative session. 

McGinness introduced Mastagni as, "a well-known member of a prominent law firm family," and explained he shared law enforcement concerns about the bill, saying, "We recognize the tremendous flawed changed of what had been proposed and celebrate the fact that at least for now it didn’t happen and I also understand that a significant amount of the work that was done on this is credited to you."  David explained, "I wouldn’t take all the credit on this; I worked with a great team.  From the President of PORAC and their lobbyist to the Cal Chiefs, a long with a lot of other law enforcement stakeholders."

McGinness asked about the constitutional issues about AB 931.  David explained, "We would have been headed to a massive constitutional challenge on this.  The California Constitution, in article 1, section 1, expressly provides every citizen of California the right of self-defense and the defense of property.  And what this bill would have done is it would have held officers to an impossible standard that was much higher than you and I and every other citizen of this state and treated them differently because of their status as a peace officer, which raises another serious constitutional question under the 14th amendment and that’s equal protection."

They also discussed the immediate impacts to officer and public safety.  David explained, "I think [AB 931] would incentivize officers not to do anything and we’ve seen this happen back east.  Baltimore is a great example."

"As a citizen and a father it is of great concern to me as well.  What this kind of legislation really does is it creates a huge disincentive for officers to engage in proactive policing.  Proactive policing and community policing over the last couple of decades is where we’ve seen the best results in reducing crime."

"And it’s going to incentive officers to wait for a call for service and respond only to that call because the feeling will be you can’t second guess me for going where you ordered me to go but if I engage in proactive policing and something happens that controversial I’m going to get second guessed; I’m going to get second guessed from this impossible standard that the Ninth Circuit has even said that would require super human judgement.”

You can listen the whole interview here.

AB 1192 Ensures Retired Reserve Officers Can Carry High-Capacity Magazines/Assault Rifles

On July 7^th 2018, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 1192 into law. The legislation, sponsored by Assemblyman Tom Lackey, was actively supported by PORAC.  This new law corrects a problem created by Proposition 63. 

In 2013, the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 703. That bill allowed “honorably separated Level 1 reserve peace officers” to carry concealed firearms on the same basis as “honorably retired full-time peace officers.” At the time AB 703 became effective, the California Penal Code allowed the possession of high-capacity magazines by currently sworn full-time and reserve peace officers. It also allowed the continued possession of high-capacity magazines by California residents who lawfully acquired them prior to the year 2000 and by retired peace officers who acquired them during the course of their active duty.

However, in 2016, Proposition 63 passed. It required all persons, with few exceptions, to “divest themselves of high-capacity magazines by July 1, 2017.” Proposition 63 carved out an  exemption for “honorably retired peace officers.” Due to a technical oversight, Proposition 63 did not exempt “honorably separated Level 1 reserve peace officers.”  Accordingly, numerous retired reserve police officers were being forced to dispose of any high-capacity magazines possessed by them on or prior to July 1, 2017.  AB 1192 fixes that technical oversight and allows retired reserve officers to continue possessing high capacity magazines.

David E. Mastagni Spars with Senator John Moorlach During Committee Hearing on Peace Officer PERB Jurisdiction

Mastagni Holstedt partner David E. Mastagni testified before the Senate Public Employment and Retirement Committee on Monday, July 10, 2017 regarding A.B. 530.

A.B. 530 is a PORAC supported bill introduced by Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove), a retired sheriff's captain, that allows peace officers to file unfair practice charges at PERB.  This important bill clarifies existing conflicts regarding peace officer jurisdiction to pursue unfair practice charges and avoid the duplicative files required under current law for mixed units and charges affecting both the union and individual peace officers.

During his testimony, Mr. Mastagni and California State Senator John Moorlach from Orange County engaged in a spirited exchange over the efficacy of the bill.

Assembly Committee on Public Safety Holds Hearings on Police Body Worn Cameras

On March 3, 2015, the Assembly Committee on Public Safety held a hearing titled “Law Enforcement Use of Body Cameras: Policies and Pitfalls”, on a variety of issues relating to Police Use of Body Worn Cameras and proposed legislation.

Two prominent advocates for the rights of public safety officers testified before the Committee, David Mastagni, Managing Partner of Mastagni Holstedt, APC, and Edward Fishman, the Legal Administrator of the PORAC Legal Defense Fund.

Mastagni’s testimony provided insight into the collateral impacts of the Body Camera footage in a variety of litigation contexts.  Fishman testified regarding the balancing transparency and privacy, and the need for local control over the specifics of each Department’s camera policy.

Both Fishman and Mastagni expressed support on behalf of law enforcement for responsible use of body worn cameras, which must include policies protecting the rights of victims, witnesses, officers and the public.  Both witnesses pointed out the need to protect against mass disclosure of sensitive recordings and protecting the privacy rights of victims and witnesses.

PORAC is supporting important legislation providing a balanced framework for implementation of body worn camera policies and protecting against unwarranted disclosures.

Court of Appeal Publishes Indio Opinion After Requests Filed by PORAC LDF, Upland POA

The California Court of Appeal issued an order directing the publication of its earlier case Indio Police Command Unit Association v. City of Indio. As previously noted on this blog, in that case the court upheld an award of attorney's fees based on the injunction noting that the association's lawsuit enforced an important public interest.

Regarding the labor relations issue, the Court of Appeal held that the City violated its meet and confer obligations under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA). The police chief advised the PCU's counsel of his intention to implement a "strategic reorganization" plan of the department's command structure, which would eliminate the captain and four lieutenant positions, and result in the demotion of certain PCU members and the layoff of one PCU member. The police chief then asserted that he could implement this reorganization plan without providing an opportunity to bargain.

The Court of Appeal rejected the City's argument. Generally, an employer's action is subject to the mandatory bargaining requirements of the MMBA if it will have a significant effect on wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment, including a permanent transfer of work away from a bargaining unit. Here, the City plan would eliminate certain positions represented by the PCU, demote some of the officers, resulting in the loss of wages and seniority, and layoff at least one PCU member. The plan, therefore, would have a significant impact on wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment and the City had an obligation under the MMBA to meet and confer over it.

Originally the case was unpublished, meaning that no other party could cite to it as support for their legal arguments. However, recognizing the importance of this case to public safety labor associations, PORAC LDF and the Upland POA filed requests that the court publish its decision. On October 9, 2014 the court granted that petition allowing all attorneys to rely on this strong precedent to enforce the rights of public service employees.  Mastagni Holstedt attorney Jeffrey R. A. Edwards filed the request on behalf of PORAC LDF. Upland POA President Moe Duran filed the request on behalf of Upland POA.

Governor Vetoes Union Rep-Member Privilege, Signs Bills on Brady List Protections, Bargaining, Release Time

The Governor took action on several bills affecting public safety labor rights.  The Governor vetoed AB 729, which would have protected labor leaders from having to testify about communications with members.  In his veto message, the Governor wrote, "I don't believe it is appropriate to put communications with a union agent on equal footing with communications with one's spouse, priest, physician or attorney.  Moreover, this bill could compromise the ability of employers to conduct investigations into workplace safety, harassment and other allegations."  The Governor's veto underscores the importance of connecting employees with a union lawyer on the onset of disciplinary investigations to ensure privileged communications.

The Governor also vetoed AB 1373 which would have extended the statute of limitations for survivors of public safety officers to file for death benefits related to tuberculosis, cancer, and blood-borne diseases. The bill was co-sponsored by CPF and PORAC.

The Governor signed AB 313 which amended POBR to prohibit disciplining peace officers solely because they are placed on a Brady list.  The law does not prohibit employers from disciplining peace officers for the underlying conduct which may have caused them to be put on a Brady list or considering the Brady list for determining how much discipline someone gets.  PORAC sponsored the bill. Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley), Donnelly (R-Barstow), Bill Monning (D-Santa Cruz), Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), and Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) voted against the bill.

The Governor also signed AB 537 which requires agencies to approve tentative agreements within 30 days, preventing them from delaying final ratification of contracts after the parties have TA'd at the table.  The bill also requires that if an MOU has an arbitration clause, the arbitrator- not a court or the agency- must decide if the procedural requirements for arbitration are met.

The Governor also signed AB 1181 which amended the MMBA to require employers give labor leaders reasonable time off for testifying at personnel hearings, PERB hearings, and bargaining. The MMBA already required reasonable time off for meeting and conferring.

PORAC, CPF, Taxpayers Group Join to Stop Hidden Local Government Political Spending

Over the past few years, publicly-funded groups like the League of California Cities have spent more than $17 million in political campaigns.  Now the Legislature is debating Senate Bill 594 to shed light on this practice. According to Stop the Shellgame, a coalition of labor, taxpayers, and good government groups, the bill seeks to "open the books on millions of campaign dollars paid out by so-called “non-public funds” from taxpayer-financed non-profits, like the League of California Cities. It also strengthens state law to ensure that public dollars are not being diverted into a secret campaign war chest."  SB 594 is currently working its way through the Legislature.

Court of Appeal: No Right Under POBR to Appeal DA's Brady List Decision

In an unpublished opinion, Rehan Nazir v. County of Los Angeles et al. (April 2, 2013 B238477), the Court of Appeal decided police officers do not have a right under POBR to appeal District Attorney's decisions to place them on a Brady list.  The Court reasoned that POBR only gives officers a right to appeal decisions of their employers and DA's offices are not the employing agencies for police officers.  The case does not address a situation, such as with a deputy sheriff or DA investigator, where the county is also the employing agency.

The case is about a city police officer who was placed on a Brady list because of a probable cause declaration.  The officer used a confidential informant in his investigation but omitted that information because there was an independent basis supporting probable cause to detain the individual.  Later, the DA's office characterized the declaration as untruthful and placed the officer on its Brady list.  His department fired the officer.  The officer filed a lawsuit saying he had a right under POBR to an administrative process challenging the DA's placement of him on the Brady list.  The Court of Appeal disagreed, dismissing his lawsuit.

The Court said POBR protects officers from action "by the public entities which employ them," but not other public agencies.  The Court also rejected the argument that section 3304(b) applies to all public agencies.  Section 3304(b) says: “No punitive action ... shall be undertaken by any public agency against any public safety officer ... without providing the public safety officer with an opportunity for administrative appeal.”  The Court decided "any public agency" means any public agency that employs the peace officer in question, not just any agency whatsoever.  As a result, the Court decided the officer could not sue the DA's office under POBR and dismissed his case.

PORAC has promoted a bill, AB 2543, to change the law and prohibit public safety employers from terminating officers merely because they are placed on a Brady list.  Several statewide and local public safety labor associations also support the bill.  Public safety labor associations can also negotiate a Brady protocol that provides more protections for peace officers.

California Democratic Party Joins Police and Fire Unions to Oppose Prop 32

The Sacramento Bee reports that the California Democratic Party has voted to officially oppose Proposition 32, which would restrict union political fundraising by prohibiting use of payroll-deducted funds for political purposes.  CPF and PORAC are already aggressively opposing Prop 32.

PORAC-endorsed Candidate Wins CalPERS Special Election

According to a press release from CalPERS, Michael Bilbrey is the apparent winner of a special runoff election to fill a vacancy on the 13-member California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Board of Administration.  Mr. Bilbrey was endorsed by the Peace Officers Research Association of California, California Professional Firefighters, California Association of Highway Patrolmen and several other labor organizations.