Unfortunately, Prop 64 was not the only initiative that created a new change for law enforcement.
Continuing in the footsteps of prison realignment and Proposition 47( 2014), the voters approved Proposition 57, allowing early parole consideration for serious felons. With law enforcement across the state already inundated with crime, it is not hard to predict the outcomes of Prop 57. However, the initiative does require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to adopt regulations to implement new parole and sentence credit provisions, giving law enforcement a chance to mitigate the consequences.
Cal Chiefs has already engaged CDCR and the Governor’ s office about developing Prop 57 regulations, and will have a strong voice in ensuring dangerous individuals are not considered for parole. Furthermore, the Legislature gives us opportunity to limit the impacts of the Prop 57 by potentially redefining violent felonies and clarifying parts of the initiative related to sentence enhancements. However, the success of any measure will depend on the new Legislators headed to Sacramento in January.
While the incoming class of Legislators will be largely the same as the previous year, there have been some important changes. Although we are still counting ballots in a few contested races, it does appear that the Democrats have regained the supermajority in the California Assembly, while the Senate will likely remain one seat shy. Although we have lost several friends of law enforcement, the incoming class may shape up to be more aligned with public safety concerns than it would appear.
With the top-two primary system now in place, races between two democratic candidates now typically results in a victory for the moderate. In the Assembly and Senate, incoming Democrats are predicted to be less liberal than their predecessor. Still, we cannot assume to know how they will vote, which is a similar uncertainty many Americans are dealing with after the national election.
Regardless of party affiliations or political beliefs, everyone can agree the election of Donald Trump has already had an impact on America. From the stock market to social media, there has been constant speculation on what could be coming next. For California, one immediate concern is the likely reduction in the matching federal funding California currently receives to support state welfare programs, which will likely end with the new administration. Billions could be at stake if the federal government decides to hold back funding, which will tighten purse strings throughout the state and impact any additional funding for public safety.
Whatever challenges may come, at least the mission to protect and serve has not changed, and neither have the men and women sworn to carry it out. ■
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WINTER 2016 | California Police Chief 11