To: The California State House, The California State Senate, and Governor Gavin Newsom

Independent Civilian Oversight of the California Highway Patrol

Establish a state agency to provide independent civilian oversight of the California Highway Patrol.

Why is this important?

The recent beating of a mentally ill woman by a CHP officer that was caught on video is being investigated by the CHP without any independent review. The CHP is the largest highway patrol police force in the U.S., with nearly 10,000 officers. When the police police themselves without any independent oversight, there is no check on their power and authority. Independent civilian oversight is the check on that power.