Support AB 1627 to Protect Californians from Officers with Abusive Backgrounds

I am writing to urge you to support Assembly Bill 1627, introduced by Assembly Member Ávila Farías on January 26, 2026. This legislation addresses a critical public safety concern by establishing employment disqualifications for individuals who worked in agencies with documented patterns of civil rights violations and systemic abuse. AB 1627 would disqualify individuals from serving as peace officers or educators in California if they were employed by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement between September 1, 2025, and January 20, 2029, or by the Alabama or Georgia Departments of Corrections between January 1, 2020, and January 1, 2026. These specific agencies and timeframes were chosen because of documented abuses. The U.S. Department of Justice investigations found egregious and systemic abuses by corrections staff in Alabama and Georgia that rose to the level of cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment. Meanwhile, ICE operations beginning in 2025 have allegedly involved untargeted arrests and brutality based on racial appearance, language, or First Amendment protected expression. California already disqualifies individuals from peace officer positions based on felony convictions, sex offender registration, and revoked certifications. AB 1627 simply extends this framework to include employment at agencies where participation demonstrated a willingness to engage in or tolerate systematic civil rights violations. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has reportedly recruited peace officers to ICE with promises of operating unrestrained by California laws, making this protection particularly urgent. Our communities deserve peace officers and educators who demonstrate respect for constitutional rights and human dignity. Requiring background investigations that include inquiry into employment at these specific agencies is a reasonable safeguard that protects California residents while maintaining high standards for public servants. I respectfully request that you vote yes on AB 1627 when it comes before committee after February 26, 2026. This bill protects the values that make California a place where all residents can feel safe and respected.