Source: Wally Skalij / Getty
One thing advocates against police violence and corruption have always argued is that it’s useless to fire a police officer over misconduct or abuse if all the officer has to do is run to the next precinct over for a new job.
On Thursday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law the Kenneth Ross Jr. Decertification Act of 2021, a measure that provides “a pathway for revoking the licenses of law enforcement officers who commit serious misconduct, even if it does not rise to the level of criminal charges—preventing them from taking another badge-carrying job,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
For those unfamiliar with the story of Kenneth Ross Jr., the 25-year-old Black man was shot and killed on April 11, 2018, by now-retired Gardena police officer Michael Robbins, who was cleared of all wrongdoing after investigators determined he acted in self-defense, despite the fact that he shot Ross while Ross was running from him.
Robbins reportedly told investigators that he shot Ross because he believed he was reaching for a gun. While police reported a pink handgun was found in his pocket, Ross was not holding it at the time he was shot and his family disputes that he was armed at all.
According to State Sen. Steven Bradford, the sponsor of the decertification bill, Robbins came to Gardena after leaving his former department in Orange County. Bradford said the officer “really had no business being here in Gardena,” because he had been involved in three other “questionable” shootings before fatally shooting Ross.
“That turned on the light for me that this needs to end,” Bradford said.
But the new legislation came after an uphill battle, or what Bradford described as a “mammoth fight” against police unions and other pro-law enforcement advocates who are typically against all things police reform-related.
“Police unions are a powerful voice and probably only second to the teachers, so we knew we were going to be in for a fight,” Bradford told Times last Tuesday. “They threw everything at us.”
The original version of Bradford’s bill, Senate Bill 731, failed to even get off the ground when it was introduced last year as it wasn’t granted a final vote in the legislative assembly. Instead, the Legislature simply allowed the session to time out without voting on the matter—”the kind of quiet dispatch that takes power to orchestrate,” according to the Times.
Black Lives Matter L.A. leader Melina Abdullah, an activist whose organization pushed for the passing of the bill saying it “isn’t even a radical demand,” said she and other advocates for the legislation were “appalled actually that in 2020, the bill wouldn’t pass.”
“There was a lot of emotional energy,” she said. “We were beyond dismayed.”
In July, Bradford appeared to blame political donations from law enforcement agencies for the initial demise of his bill tweeting, “Interesting this is how you try to kill solid policy? If you can’t win on the merit of your argument, you resort to paying off legislators?? SHAMEFUL, BUT NOT SURPRISING!!”
Bradford kept pushing the legislation and it eventually found its way to Newsom’s dest and signature—but not until it was significantly watered down, unfortunately.
According to the Times, a proposal to remove qualified immunity protections for cops had been removed from the legislation and “the protocols for stripping an officer of certification have also been tightened.”
Despite the changes to the bill, many in law enforcement still oppose it, the Times reported. Bradford said that after spending an enormous amount of time and energy negotiating the bill, “we made our minds up that if we had a bill that law enforcement liked 100 percent, then we didn’t have a bill.”
It’s almost as if the whole “if you’ve done nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about” thing only really applies to civilians.
SEE ALSO:
30 Years After Rodney King Beating, Culture Of Police Brutality Thriving In Los Angeles
117 Black Men And Boys Killed By Police
116 photos Launch gallery
1. Antwan Gilmore
This is 27 year old Antwan Gilmore. He was killed YESTERDAY by DC police. The cop found him asleep in his car, tapped on the window, and immediately fired multiple shots and killed him. pic.twitter.com/cYUgNuR47m
— Olayemi Olurin (@msolurin) August 27, 2021
1 of 116
4. Ryan LeRoux, 21
he was only 21 years old, he refused to leave a parking lot and they shot him 24 times. his name was ryan leroux, we need to get him justice. pic.twitter.com/0C63gketSS
— quinn (@irlquinn) July 21, 2021
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5. Leneal Frazier, 40
Source:Getty
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6. Demetrius Stanley, 31
Demetrius Stanley was murdered by plain clothes police officers two nights ago. They came in an unmarked van and were stalking the outside of Demetrius’ family home. He went outside to check and they shot him from inside their car. They never ID themselves. #ripmeech#blackpower pic.twitter.com/qYL1GHNsho
— B.L.A.C.K. Outreach (@blackoutreachsj) June 2, 2021
6 of 116
7. Ashton Pinke, 27
27-year old Ashton Pinke was shot-and-killed by Mesquite Police Department officers, today. Investigators report he charged with a “knife and a club” following a 911 hang-up call by a screaming woman. Family members question the report. Our full story airs on @FOX4 at 9/10. pic.twitter.com/SD2AAK76p3
— David Sentendrey (@DavidSFOX4) May 5, 2021
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8. Andrew Brown, 42
BREAKING: The man fatally shot by a deputy today in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, was Andrew Brown.
Deputies were serving a search warrant when Brown was shot while driving away, witnesses say.
Neighbors say they heard anywhere from 6 to 8 shots. https://t.co/w7dyIQ5zdX
— WAVY TV 10 (@WAVY_News) April 21, 2021
8 of 116
9. Matthew Williams, 35
At 5 @wsbtv: the family of 35 year old Matthew Williams are demanding that body camera footage of his shooting death be released. Dekalb police shot & killed Williams at his home Monday. They say he lunged at officers with a knife. Family say he was running away from officers pic.twitter.com/Ky4ssoYTFp
— Justin Gray (@JustinGrayWSB) April 14, 2021
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10. Daunte Wright, 20
Source:Twitter/@MeritLaw
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11. Marvin D. Scott III, 26
Source:GoFundMe
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12. Kurt Reinhold, 42
Source:Getty
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13. McHale Rose, 19
JUSTICE FOR MCHALE ROSE!
Mchale was killed by 4 officers within hours of the killing of Dreasjon Reed. Because of this, his story has gotten clouded and we need awareness! Mchale was a personal friend of mine and the sweetest boy ever. He & his family deserve justice! pic.twitter.com/SutjQn4fjy— Hustle House (@hustlehousellc) August 6, 2020
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14. Xzavier Hill, 18
Xzavier Hill’s family deserves justice. Virginia laws do not require the VSP to release footage, nor to wear body cameras. He was 18, and his whole life was ahead of him.
NAACP: Justice For Xzavier – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/a30fgNP9mk via @Change
— melanie (@smellllanie) January 19, 2021
Source:Change.org
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15. Frederick Cox, 18
Source:Facebook/Tenicka Shannon
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16. Patrick Warren Sr.
Source:Patrick Warren Jr.
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17. Carl Dorsey III, 39
Man shot to death in Police involved shooting in Newark is identified as 39 year old Carl Dorsey III. https://t.co/hdtmb6w0Il
— The Tornado News (@TheTornadoNews) January 6, 2021
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18. Dolal Idd, 23
Source:GoFundMe
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19. Andre’ Hill, 47
An attorney who has represented the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor says he is now working for the family of Andre’ Hill, the man killed by a Columbus police officer early Tuesday.https://t.co/9yXaqYKHfu
— NBC4 Columbus (@nbc4i) December 24, 2020
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20. Joshua Feast
Joshua Feast was fatally shot in the BACK by La Marque PD officer Jose Santos as he was running away, posing no threat. Witnesses report Santos refused to render aid to Joshua after shooting him AND then kicked his body, already debilitated by the bullet. #JusticeForJoshuaFeast pic.twitter.com/zO46PCsGzO
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) December 12, 2020
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21. Maurice Gordon
Source:Mercury LLC
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22. Casey Goodson Jr.
Source:Walton + Brown, LLP
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23. Rodney Applewhite
Source:Ben Crump
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27. Marcellis Stinnette, teen killed by police in Waukegan, Illinois
Source:Twitter
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28. Jonathan Price
The Texas police officer who fatally shot Jonathan Price has been arrested and charged with murder. His bail has been set at 1 million dollars. I’m glad. RIP Jonathan, rest in power. pic.twitter.com/Mw5GMQX0Eb
— ~????????? ????~ (@TeahCartel) October 6, 2020
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30. Daniel Prude
The killing of Daniel Prude by Rochester police officers is unacceptable, and we need real answers for why this happened and why it took so long to come out.
Trained medical professionals should respond to mental health crises, not armed officers. pic.twitter.com/EPhH9inn1x
— Jeremy Cooney (@JeremyCooneyROC) September 2, 2020
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31. Damian Daniels
Yesterday in SA cops killed Sergeant Damian Lamar Daniels in front of his home. His family asked the Red Cross to get him to the VA.
He had a legal gun on his hip that he never removed. He didn’t want to go and he struggled when they tried to force him.
So they killed him. pic.twitter.com/q6U7OSXb6D
— Lee Merritt (@MerrittForTexas) August 27, 2020
31 of 116
32. Dijon Kizzee
This is #DijonKizzee, 29 yrs old and shot and killed by LA Sheriffs after being stopped for a bike violation. Cops handcuffed his lifeless body. While police investigations can drag on for months/years, cops have already claimed he ran away, and dropped clothes and a gun. #BLM pic.twitter.com/pM6mQfWLeQ
— Kristen Clarke (@KristenClarkeJD) September 1, 2020
32 of 116
33. Trayford Pellerin
Source:GoFundMe
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34. David McAtee
in an attempt to disperse crowds, #DavidMcAtee, a louisville bbq chef known for serving cops free meals, was shot and killed by the police last night. he was unarmed. not only were the officers’ bodycams off, but they also left his body on the street for 12 hours.
say his name. pic.twitter.com/kqOPku8iuQ— adaliah ?? (@adxlls) June 2, 2020
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35. Natosha “Tony” McDade
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38. Finan H. Berhe
Montgomery County Police Tweet Video Of Cop Shooting Finan H. Berhe In Maryland https://t.co/HzNV24ZpZB
— World Congress ? On Faith & Justice (@JMcCorrySpeaks) May 9, 2020
38 of 116
39. Sean Reed
Source:Twitter
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40. Steven Demarco Taylor
Source:S. Lee Merritt
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41. Ariane McCree
Source:The Herald/YouTube
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43. Miles Hall
Source:KRON4
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44. Darius Tarver
Source:S. Lee Merritt
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45. William Green
They murdered my cousin. How do you have someone in handcuffs and in a seat belt and shoot them multilpe times.All cops aren’t bad but those were. I will fight with the last breath in me for justice. William Green was a family man, a working man. Funny. Loving. Love and miss you. pic.twitter.com/PhM3a6C7uj
— Liv ?? (@liv__03) January 28, 2020
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46. Samuel David Mallard, 19
This is a 2019 mugshot of the murder suspect Cobb police shot & killed today. Samuel Mallard, 19, was previously arrested for impersonating officers a half dozen times. In the 2020 case, the GBI says he’s involved in a murder/robbery. CCPD says there are other suspects. @wsbtv https://t.co/7EfuVQLmNB pic.twitter.com/ttWg5HjFkj
— Chris Jose (@ChrisJoseWSB) January 17, 2020
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47. Kwame “KK” Jones, 17
Source:facebook
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49. Christopher Whitfield, 31
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50. Anthony Hill, 26
Former Officer Robert Olsen killed Anthony Hill over four years ago and was finally convicted (not of murder). Will get get the Amber Guyger treatment? #AnthonyHillhttps://t.co/HZVf3tOEOL
— NewsOne (@newsone) October 25, 2019
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51. De’Von Bailey, 19
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52. Eric Logan, 54
BREAKING NEWS OUT OF SOUTH BEND:
Two lawyers representing the estate of 54-year-old Eric Logan, who was shot and killed by a South Bend police officer, have sued that officer, Sgt. Ryan O’Neill and Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
The suit was filed in federal court today.
(READ THREAD) pic.twitter.com/frOpKFQIAV
— Joshua Short (@JoshuaShortTV) June 27, 2019
52 of 116
54. Gregory Hill Jr., 30
Gregory Hill, Jr. – the family of Greg Hill grants permission to use these photos to honor Greg or tell his story. pic.twitter.com/uhn1RbEQBv
— John M. Phillips (@JohnPhillips) June 1, 2018
54 of 116
55. JaQuavion Slaton, 20
This is Jaquavion Slaton, the 20-year-old who was was shot & killed by Fort Worth Police on Sunday. Community demanding release of body camera video, but FWPD hasn’t said when/if that will happen. #WFAA pic.twitter.com/iakQyWrRCl
— Teresa Woodard (@twoodard8) June 10, 2019
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56. Ryan Twyman, 24
56 of 116
57. Brandon Webber, 20
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58. Jimmy Atchison, 21
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59. Willie McCoy, 20
One of six officers who fired at Willie McCoy had killed unarmed man in 2018 || Via: Guardian https://t.co/CjrSIa8r1Z
— SafetyPin-Daily (@SafetyPinDaily) February 23, 2019
59 of 116
60. Emantic “EJ” Fitzgerald Bradford Jr., 21
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62. Jemel Roberson, 26
Security guard Jemel Roberson was holding down a shooting suspect when police burst in and shot Roberson instead. pic.twitter.com/zNsYvQMRg8
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) November 14, 2018
Source:false
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65. Antwon Rose Jr., 17
Source:false
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66. Robert Lawrence White, 41
Source:false
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67. Anthony Lamar Smith, 24
Source:Getty
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68. Ramarley Graham, 18
Source:Getty
68 of 116
69. Manuel Loggins Jr., 31
Source:Getty
69 of 116
70. Trayvon Martin, 17
Source:Getty
70 of 116
71. Wendell Allen, 20
Source:Getty
71 of 116
72. Kendrec McDade, 19
Source:Getty
72 of 116
73. Larry Jackson Jr., 32
Source:Getty
73 of 116
74. Jonathan Ferrell, 24
Source:Getty
74 of 116
75. Jordan Baker, 26
Source:Getty
75 of 116
76. Victor White lll, 22
Source:Getty
76 of 116
77. Dontre Hamilton, 31
Source:Getty
77 of 116
78. Eric Garner, 43
Source:Getty
78 of 116
79. John Crawford lll, 22
Source:Getty
79 of 116
80. Michael Brown, 18
Source:Getty
80 of 116
81. Ezell Ford, 25
Source:Getty
81 of 116
82. Dante Parker, 36
Source:Getty
82 of 116
83. Kajieme Powell, 25
Source:Getty
83 of 116
84. Laquan McDonald, 17
Source:Getty
84 of 116
85. Akai Gurley, 28
Source:Getty
85 of 116
86. Tamir Rice, 12
Source:Getty
86 of 116
87. Rumain Brisbon, 34
Source:Getty
87 of 116
88. Jerame Reid, 36
Source:Getty
88 of 116
89. Charly Keunang, 43
Source:Getty
89 of 116
90. Tony Robinson, 19
Source:Getty
90 of 116
91. Walter Scott, 50
Source:Getty
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92. Freddie Gray, 25
Source:Getty
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93. Brendon Glenn, 29
Source:Getty
93 of 116
94. Samuel DuBose, 43
Source:Getty
94 of 116
95. Christian Taylor, 19
Source:Getty
95 of 116
96. Jamar Clark, 24
Source:Getty
96 of 116
97. Mario Woods, 26
Source:Getty
97 of 116
98. Quintonio LeGrier, 19
Source:Getty
98 of 116
99. Gregory Gunn, 58
Source:Getty
99 of 116
100. Akiel Denkins, 24
Source:Getty
100 of 116
101. Alton Sterling, 37
Source:Getty
101 of 116
102. Philando Castile, 32
Source:Getty
102 of 116
103. Terrence Sterling, 31
Source:Getty
103 of 116
104. Terence Crutcher, 40
Source:Getty
104 of 116
105. Keith Lamont Scott, 43
Source:Getty
105 of 116
106. Alfred Olango, 38
Source:Getty
106 of 116
107. Jordan Edwards, 15
Source:Getty
107 of 116
109. Danny Ray Thomas, 34
Source:false
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111. Patrick Harmon, 50
Patrick Harmon was shot and killed by police in Salt Lake City, Utah. The district attorney says the shooting was “legally justified.” pic.twitter.com/zYBOwlTzRb
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 7, 2017
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113. Maurice Granton, 24
Dash cam footage of police killing Maurice Granton Jr. has been released. His family says it proves that he was unarmed pic.twitter.com/YLAM7my1ny
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) July 26, 2018
113 of 116
114. Julius Johnson, 23
114 of 116
115. Jamee Johnson, 22
Source:S. Lee Merritt
115 of 116
116. Michael Dean, 28
Source:S. Lee Merritt
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Police Reform Bill To Oust Bad Cops After What Black Lawmaker Calls A ‘Mammoth Fight’
was originally published on
newsone.com
