BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 169|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 169
Author: Benoit (R)
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
SENATE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE : 7-0, 4/14/09
AYES: Leno, Benoit, Cedillo, Hancock, Huff, Steinberg,
Wright
SUBJECT : Retired peace officers: badges
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill authorizes the head of a local agency
that employs peace officers to issue identification in the
form of a badge, insignia, emblem, device, label,
certificate, card, or writing that clearly states the
person's position as an honorably retired peace officer
from that agency and to revoke that form of identification
in the event of misuse or abuse.
ANALYSIS : Existing law makes it a crime for a person,
who is not a peace officer, to impersonate a peace officer,
as specified.
This bill authorizes the head of a local agency that
employs peace officers to issue identification in the form
of a badge, insignia, emblem, device, label, certificate,
card, or writing that clearly states the person's position
as an honorably retired peace officer from that agency.
CONTINUED
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This bill states that the head of a local agency that
employs peace officers is authorized to revoke
identification granted to a retired peace officer or
volunteer, as specified, in the event of misuse or abuse.
Prior Legislation
SB 1212 (Cox), which failed on the Senate Floor (12-20) on
5/12/08.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No
Local: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 4/16/09)
California State Sheriffs' Association
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author's office:
Current law provides that any person who willfully wears,
exhibits, or uses, or who willfully makes, sells, loans,
gives, or transfers to another, any badge, insignia,
emblem, device, or any label, certificate, card, or
writing, which falsely purports to be authorized for the
use of one who by law is given the authority of a peace
officer is guilty of a misdemeanor.
This bill empowers the head of a local agency that employs
peace officers to bestow upon retirees an honorary badge,
emblem, device, label, certificate, card writing, or other
insignia that states that person's position as an honorable
retired peace officer from that agency. This bill will
give these local agencies a valuable tool for honoring,
upon retirement, members of their agency who deserve such
recognition.
RJG:nl 4/16/09 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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