Membership Survey Results on AB 2419 (Body-Worn Cameras)

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

As previously reported, Assembly Bill 2419 (Quirk-Silva) would require probation officers to wear body-worn cameras. This is an issue that has generated strong opinions across our membership. Because of that, we believed it was important not to assume where our members stood, but to ask you directly.

We conducted a membership survey to gather your views on the bill as written, and on our proposed amendments to hold the youth accountable, to allow us to review footage before making a report, and to make it apply statewide. While just 65 members participated in the survey, we believe the responses provide a fair and meaningful snapshot of where our membership stands on this issue.

The results were clear.

• 80 percent of respondents oppose AB 2419 as it is currently written.

• 72 percent support the bill if it is amended in the ways we suggested.

In other words, while the current version of the legislation does not have the support of our members, a strong majority indicated that the bill could become acceptable if it includes the protections and accountability measures we outlined.

Based on this feedback, the union has submitted a formal letter to the bill’s author requesting amendments that reflect the priorities expressed by the membership. Among other things, the amendments call for:

• Ensuring body camera footage is used to evaluate youth-on-staff and youth-on-youth assaults, not just staff conduct

• Addressing gaps in the law so assaults on staff in custody carry real consequences

• Allowing officers to review body camera footage before submitting a use-of-force report, recognizing the well documented psychological effects of high stress incidents

• Ensuring that any body camera policy applies statewide, rather than singling out Los Angeles County

We recognize that this remains a controversial issue. That is exactly why we went directly to the membership before taking a formal position. Your input helped shape our response to the legislation and the amendments we are advocating for in Sacramento.

Click here to read the full letter we submitted to the bill’s author here.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the survey and share your perspective. Our goal is to make sure the voices of the officers working inside our facilities every day are heard in the legislative process.

In solidarity,

Curtis Chambers

President