California Enacts Law to Halt Deceptive Police Family Interrogation Tactics

A new law in California aims to curb a controversial police practice often used against families of individuals killed or injured during law enforcement encounters. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the legislation mandates that police and prosecutors inform families of the facts regarding their loved ones’ situations before questioning them. It also prohibits authorities from lying or pressuring families into interviews and grants families the right to have a support person present during conversations.

By January 2027, all police departments and prosecutors in California will be required to adopt these new policies. Exceptions exist if delaying the notification risks evidence destruction or if the family member is under arrest. Assembly member Ash Kalra, who co-authored the bill, emphasized the importance of respectful treatment and truthfulness towards grieving families.

This legislation responds to investigations revealing law enforcement’s routine withholding of death notifications while collecting damaging background information about victims. Such tactics have included gathering details about mental health issues, drug use, and family conflicts shortly after police incidents, then using that information to justify actions or reduce liability in lawsuits. For instance, some departments used background info to label victims as mentally disturbed or to argue for lower settlements, often without the families’ knowledge.

One case involved a family whose daughter was shot by police; officers interrogated the family for over 27 minutes before revealing her death, then used that information to argue against their claim. These practices were encouraged in a 2019 webinar by Lexipol, a company that provides police policy manuals, where the co-founder advised officers to quickly question families about sensitive issues to gather potentially damaging information.

The move to ban such tactics involves ongoing advocacy by families affected by police violence, who faced hurdles in previous legislative attempts. The new law’s passage signifies a push toward more transparency and respect in police interactions with families during sensitive times.