New California Law Will Change the Way Police Officers Interact With Drivers, Pedestrians

A new California law going into effect in January 2024 will change the way police officers interact with millions of drivers and pedestrians.

California police officers seeking to stop a driver or pedestrian must now initiate any interaction by specifying the purpose of the stop before asking inquiring questions. They will no longer be able to initially ask the driver, “Do you know why I pulled you over?”

{snip}

According to Assembly member Chris Holden, who authored the law, it was created to “promote equity and accountability in communities” and to help prevent the often tense interactions between police and civilians from potentially escalating.

{snip}

A second component of the law requires law enforcement agencies to include the reason(s) for all stops on accompanying arrest reports.