Berkeley Police Review Commision

The Berkeley Police Review Commission met Wednesday to discuss the passed Controlled Equipment Ordinance and the future of no-knock warrants in Berkeley.

Growing up in a family involved in criminal defense law, Russell Bloom learned how important the role of the police is in the criminal justice system — if police work is broken, it hurts the entire system.

True safety isn't limited to “order,” but rather transcends it. Safety isn't a gun or a baton but a bridge, steadfast in its care and warm in its reception.

Following the City Council’s decision to finalize a police budget cut of 12%, the city will seek to introduce community safety reform and create a Department of Transportation responsible for traffic enforcement.

California State Sen. Nancy Skinner introduced two bills regarding police reform Monday⁠ — one to expand police transparency and the other to reduce police scope.

Berkeley’s history of police and police activism has been long and unique. The city was the site of the first Police Review Commission in the United States.

On June 9, Berkeley City Council will vote on an urgency item consisting of four police reform policies recommended by the national 8 Can't Wait campaign.

Berkeley's Police Review Commission discussed concerns regarding police officers muting their body cameras at its meeting Feb. 26.

On Tuesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 233, a bill that prohibits prostitution-related arrests of people who witness or are victims of certain violent crimes and that prevents condoms from being used as evidence of sex work. 

The Berkeley Police Review Commission, or PRC, gathered Wednesday for its regular meeting to discuss surveillance use policies, budget summaries and the use of spit hoods by the Berkeley Police Department, among other items.