BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1377
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1377 (Butler)
As Introduced February 18, 2011
Majority vote
PUBLIC SAFETY 5-2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Ayes:|Ammiano, Hagman, Hill, | | |
| |Mitchell, Skinner | | |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Knight, Cedillo | | |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY : Places an airport law enforcement officer regularly
employed by the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) within a
different category of peace officers whose authority extends to
any place within California without restrictions on arrest
powers and authority to carry specified firearms. Specifically,
this bill :
1) Places airport law enforcement officers regularly
employed by LAWA in the category of peace officers with
authority that extends to any place in California as
follows:
a) As to a public offense committed or which there is
probable cause to believe has been committed within the
political subdivision that employs the peace officer or in
which the peace officer serves;
b) Where a peace officer has prior consent of the chief of
police or chief, director or chief executive officer of a
consolidated municipal public safety agency, or person
authorized to give consent, if the place is within a city,
or of the sheriff, or person authorized to give consent, if
the place is within a county; and,
c) As to a public offense committed or which there is
probable cause to believe has been committed in the peace
officer's presence, and with respect to which there is
immediate danger to person or property, or of the escape of
the perpetrator.
AB 1377
Page 2
2) Defines "LAWA" as the department of the City of Los
Angeles that owns and operates the Los Angeles
International Airport, the Ontario International Airport,
the Palmdale Regional Airport and the Van Nuys Airport.
3) Makes the following legislative findings and
declarations:
a) A special law is necessary for airport law enforcement
officers regularly employed by LAWA; and,
b) A general law cannot be made applicable within the
meaning of Article IV, Section 16 of the California
Constitution because of the unique circumstances facing the
City of Los Angeles relating to law enforcement at the Los
Angeles International Airport.
EXISTING LAW : Provides that in order to change peace officer
designation or status, the Commission on Peace Officers
Standards and Training (POST) must be requested to undertake a
study to assess the need for such a change. Requires POST to
undertake the study in accordance with its regulations.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the
Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "The �LAWA] police force
currently protects four airports and surrounding neighborhoods,
handling over 65,000,000 people a year. LAWA police responded
to over 73,000 calls for service in 2003. Crimes most often
committed include weapons, drug violations, and theft. Los
Angeles International Airport is still considered a major
terrorist threat. Currently, these officers can arrest anywhere
in the state, but only if the crime is in relation to protecting
the LAWA. A recent feasibility study by �POST] recommends that
LAWA police officers be given more authority to perform their
duty to protect the airports and communities.
"POST (the state's absolute established authority on peace
officer standards) completed the study for the LAWA Police Chief
(as required by law) regarding the above change. After numerous
interviews with Federal, state and local agencies, and a
thorough review of LAWA Police Department's current
AB 1377
Page 3
jurisdiction, authority and changes that would be accomplished
by the move, the Commission found that 'LAWA Police Department
officers require additional powers and authority to perform the
current duties and responsibilities.' POST then recommended
that the LAWA police officers be designated as Peace Officers
pursuant to Penal Code Section 830.1. This bill gives these
officers the tools to protect our communities."
Please see the policy committee for a full discussion of this
bill.
Analysis Prepared by : Stefani Salt / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744
FN: 0000447