BILL NUMBER:  AB 653
  VETOED	DATE: 10/12/2009




To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 653 without my signature.

This measure would overturn a recent court decision and extend the
marital privilege to administrative, investigatory hearings conducted
by law enforcement agencies.  While the sanctity of marriage should
be protected, peace officers must also honor the relationships they
have with the agencies and communities in which they work.  If the
marital privilege doctrine were extended to hide corruption between
peace officer spouses, the relationship between spouses may benefit.
However, the law enforcement agency and its reputation within the
community would suffer irreparable harm.  Although this measure is
narrowly drawn, society's interest in protecting marital
communications should not extend beyond the courthouse and into peace
officer disciplinary proceedings.

For these reasons I am unable to sign this bill.

Sincerely,



Arnold Schwarzenegger