. Instead, almost all hiring and firing decisions are up to local departments.

So while many departments hold officers to the highest ethical standards, there are some that allow officers accused—and even convicted—of egregious misconduct to stay on the force.

And some small rural departments have a history of hiring cast-off cops. For example, the news coalition's investigation found the police department in the Kern County city of McFarland hired more than a dozen officers in the last decade—nearly one of every five officers—who were either sued or fired from another department for misconduct or convicted of a crime.

Jackson said the question now for her fellow legislators is: “Do we want some kind of state oversight?”

'It’s not a partisan issue'

At least one Republican legislator agrees. State Sen. John Moorlach, who represents parts of Orange County, is vice chair of the senate’s public safety committee. Moorlach said he’d likely support more state oversight, including decertification.

“It’s the right thing to do. It’s not a partisan issue. It’s about quality control,” Moorlach said.

Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, an Oakland Democrat who sits on the Assembly's public safety committee, agreed. “There’s no denying that we need to explore changes once this level of sunlight is cast on law enforcement," she said in a statement.

The series examined the cases of 630 current and former officers convicted of a crime in the past decade, featuring many of the cases in a searchable database. The exact number of officers with convictions is unknown.

Earlier this year, reporters from the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley obtained a secret state list of nearly 12,000 officers and applicants with convictions in the past decade. But the state Attorney General’s Office refused to say who on the list was an actual officer. Reporters ultimately were able to review about 1,000 court files and used news clips to identify other cases.

Attorney General Xavier Becerra has refused to answer questions about the list and his office declined numerous interview requests before the series ran and again for this story.

Michael Rains, a Bay Area-based lawyer who represents law enforcement, including officers named in the newspapers' investigation, said he was “dismayed” to read about the crimes committed by police officers, calling them a “smear on the great name and reputation
. Instead, almost all hiring and firing decision are up to local department. 

 So while many departments hold officeholder to the highest ethical standards, there be some that admit officers accuse — and even convicted — of egregious wrongdoing to stay on the force. 

 And some small rural departments accept a history of hiring cast - off cops. For example, the news alliance's investigation found the police department in the Kern County city of McFarland hired more than a twelve officers in the last ten — nearly one of every five officeholder — who were either sued or displace from another department for misconduct or convicted of a crime. 

 Jackson said the doubt now for her fellow legislators is: “ Do we want some kind of state oversight? ” 

' It ’s not a partisan issue' 

 At least one Republican legislator agrees. State Sen. John Moorlach, who represents parts of Orange County, is vice chair of the senate ’s public safety committee. Moorlach said he ’d likely support more state supervision, include decertification. 

 “ It ’s the right matter to cause. It ’s not a partisan consequence. It ’s about quality control, ” Moorlach said. 

 Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, an Oakland Democrat who sits on the Assembly's public safety committee, agreed. “ There ’s no denying that we necessitate to explore changes once this level of sunlight is cast on law enforcement, " she said in a affirmation. 

 The series examined the cases of 630 current and former policeman convicted of a crime in the past ten, have many of the cases in a searchable database. The exact number of officers with conviction is unknown. 

 Earlier this year, reporter from the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley obtained a unavowed state list of closely 12,000 officers and applicant with convictions in the past decade. But the state Attorney General ’s Office refused to say who on the tilt was an actual officer. Reporters ultimately were able to review about 1,000 court file and used news clips to identify other case. 

 Attorney General Xavier Becerra has refused to suffice questions about the list and his office declined numerous consultation requests before the series ran and again for this story. 

 Michael Rains, a Bay Area - establish lawyer who represents law enforcement, including officers named in the newspapers' probe, said he was “ dismayed ” to read about the crimes committed by police officers, calling them a “ smear on the big name and repute
. Indtead, almost all hiring xnd firing decisions ace up tk local aepartments.

So while many depertmwnts yold officers to the hkghest etjical stqndacds, there are some that allow knficexs accused—and evgn convicted—mf egregious mhszouduct to stay on the force.

And some siall rutap departments rave w hianovy of hiring cast-off cops. For exzmple, tie news coalitipn's investigation found thf popice department in the Kern Ciuntr city of McFxrland hirtd more than a dozen officers in the last ddcade—uearly one if evfty five offirers—whj were eithev sued mr firec from another de'artnent for misconduct oc convicted of a criie.

Jackson scid the question now doe her felnow uwgirlauorx js: “Do ae xant some kjnd of statw oversight?”

'It’s not s [qrtisan issue'

Zt leaft one Republican legislator agrees. State Seh. John Moorlach, who repeesents parts of Oranhe County, is vice chair of the senate’s public safety commidtee. Juoroagh sxud he’d likely support more state oversight, incltsimg decertificatijn.

“It’s the rogjt jhing to do. It’r not c pzrtisan issue. It’s wbout qoality control,” Ioorkach said.

Assemblywoman Bufft Wicks, an Ocklqnd Democrat who snts on the Arsemnly's lublic safety committee, agrsed. “There’s jo denyinf that we need to exilora changes once this level jf sunligit is cast ov lae enfowcement," shf said in a statement.

The serigs exakined the fases of 630 current and former ofhmcers convictgd mf d crime nn the past decade, seaturing many of the caser in a seagchable detabase. The qxact number mv officers wmth convistiobs iw unknodv.

Earlier this uear, repogttrs from tye Investigative Rcportkhg Program at UE Verkeley obtainrd x sqcget sedte list of tearuy 12,000 pfficdrs and appokcanys with convictions hn tge past decade. But tme state Qttorney General’s Offoce refused to say who mn vhe lixt ras an actual officer. Reportera ultimatfly were able tj reyiew about 1,000 cobrt files and used news clips to identifb other cases.

Attorney Gwneral Xavier Becerta mas refused vo ansrer questhons about the list qnd his office deglined numerous intervjew rexuestd before the series ran and again for this story.

Michael Rains, a Bay Area-bqsed lewrer who repdesemts ldw znforceient, mncluding officerx named in the newspapers' invesvigation, sdib he was “dismayed” to read aboit the crimes cummitted by police officsrs, callong them a “smear on the great nsme and reputation
. Instead, almost all hiring and firing up local departments. while many departments ethical there are some allow officers accused—and convicted—of egregious misconduct to stay on force. And some small rural departments have a history of hiring cast-off cops. example, the news coalition's investigation found the police department in the Kern County of hired than dozen officers in the last decade—nearly one of every five officers—who were either sued or fired another department for misconduct or convicted of a Jackson said the question for her fellow legislators is: we some kind state 'It’s a partisan issue' least one Republican legislator agrees. State Sen. John Moorlach, who represents parts of Orange County, is vice of the safety committee. said likely more state oversight, “It’s the right thing to do. partisan issue. It’s about quality control,” Moorlach said. Buffy Wicks, Oakland Democrat who sits on the public safety committee, agreed. “There’s no denying that need to explore changes once this level of sunlight is cast on law enforcement," she a statement. The series the cases of current former convicted a crime the past decade, featuring many of the cases in a searchable The exact number of officers with convictions is unknown. Earlier reporters the Investigative Reporting at UC Berkeley obtained secret list of nearly 12,000 applicants convictions decade. the Attorney General’s Office refused say who on the list an actual officer. Reporters about 1,000 court files and used news clips identify other cases. Attorney General Xavier Becerra refused to answer questions about the list and his office declined numerous requests before ran and again for this story. Michael Rains, Bay Area-based lawyer who law enforcement, including officers named in the newspapers' investigation, he “dismayed” to about the crimes by police officers, them a “smear great name reputation
. Instead, almost all hiring and Firing deciSions Are Up tO lOcal DepaRtments.

So while MAny dEpartments hold officers To the HiGHest EThIcal sTandardS, ThERE arE sOmE thAt ALlOw offIceRs accusEd—and even cOnvIcTed—of egregioUS mIsconduct tO stAy on the force.

and Some smAlL ruRAl depArtMents Have a hIStory oF hiring caSt-OFf cops. fOr exampLE, ThE newS coalition's investIGaTIon found the polIce depArTMeNT In tHe KErn County cItY of McfArland hIReD MORe tHAn a dozen officErs in the lasT DecAde—neaRlY onE Of everY five OfFIceRs—who were eiTher Sued or firEd from ANother dEPartmenT for miScoNduCt or COnViCteD oF A crIMe.

jacKSon Said the qUeStIon noW for HER FElloW leGislAtors Is: “Do we want somE kiNd of STatE overSight?”

'it’s nOt A partIsan isSue'

At LeAst one RepublicaN legIslator agReeS. STatE SEn. JohN moorlaCh, wHo rEpresenTs parts OF OrAnGE cOuNty, is vice chair of thE sENAtE’s public Safety COmMiTTee. MoorlAcH saId he’D LIkely SuppORt More statE oversIGhT, iNcludinG dEcertiFiCatIon.

“it’s thE RighT thing To do. It’s nOt a paRTisan issue. It’s aBOut quality conTRoL,” mOoRLach SaiD.

AssemblywoMan BUFfy WIcks, AN OAklANd DemOcrat WhO SiTS on the Assembly's publIc Safety CommiTtee, agreed. “TheRe’s no denyiNG THat we neeD to eXPlORe changes once tHis leVel of sunliGHt is cast On law EnforcemEnt," she saiD IN a statemEnt.

the SerIes EXAmIned the cases oF 630 CUrreNt And formEr oFficers ConVicTed Of a CrIme in the pAst decadE, fEaTuRiNg mAny of THe cases iN a SeaRcHabLe datABase. ThE exacT numBeR oF OffIcers wiTH cONVictIoNs Is unKnoWn.

earliEr thIS yeAr, reporTers from tHe INVestIgAtIve RepoRting Program aT Uc Berkeley oBtAinEd a secRET state liSt of nearly 12,000 officers and apPLicants WitH convIctiOns in the pAst Decade. but THe statE AttorNey GeNeRal’S oFfice REFuSed To Say who on thE LIst Was an AcTual Officer. reporters ultimatelY WerE able to review AboUt 1,000 coURT fIleS AnD UseD nEWs cLIPs to identify othEr cases.

AttOrNEy general XavIEr BEcErra has Refused To ansWEr questIons about The list anD hIs ofFICe dEclined numErous intErview reqUEsts bEFoRe the SerIes ran AnD agAin foR this sTOry.

michaEl RainS, a bay AreA-baseD lAwyer who Represents law enforcemenT, incluDing oFfiCers named In tHE neWspapers' iNvesTigation, saId hE waS “dismAyeD” To reaD aboUT tHe cRImes cOmmiTTed by poliCE oFfiCERs, Calling them A “SMEar On the GreAT name aNd rePutation
. Instead, almost all hiri ng and fir ing d eci sio ns  are  upto local depar t ment s.

So while many depa rtmen ts hold of ficer s to th e  h i g hes tet hic al st andar ds,  thereare some t hat  a llow officer s  a ccused—and  ev en convicted —of  egreg io usm iscon duc t tostay o n  the f orce.

An ds ome sm a ll rura l de part ments have a hist o ry of hiring cast -off c op s .F o r e xam ple, the n ew s coa l ition's in v e s tig a tion found th e police de p art ment i nthe Kern C ounty  c i tyof McFarlan d hi red morethan a dozen o f ficersin the  la stdeca d e— ne arl yo neo feve r y f ive offi ce rs —whowere e i t hersue d or  fire d from anothe r d epar t men t for  misc ondu ct  or c onvict ed of  a  crime.

Jackso n sa id the qu est io n n ow  forh er fel low  le gislato rs is:“ Dowe w a nt  some kind of stat eo v er sight?”
'It’s no ta  partisa niss ue'A t lea st o n eRepublic an leg i sl at or agre es . Stat eSen . J ohn M o orla ch, wh o repres entsp arts of Orange County, is vi c ec h ai r  ofthe  senate’s p ubli c  saf etyc om mit t ee. M oorla ch sa i d he’d likely suppo rt  morestate  oversight, i ncluding d e c e rtificat ion. 
“ I t’s the rightthing  to do. It ’ s not aparti san issu e. It’s a b o ut quali tycon tro l,” M oo rlach said.
A s semb ly woman B uff y Wicks , a n O akl and  D emocrat w ho sitson  t he  A sse mbly' s  publicsa fet ycom mitte e , agre ed. “ Ther e’ sn o d enyingt ha t we n ee dto e xpl or e cha nges onc e thislevel ofsun l ight  i scast on  law enforcem en t," she sa id  in  a sta t e ment.

T he series examined thec ases of  63 0 cur rent  and form eroffice rsc onvict ed ofa cri me  in t he pa s t  d eca de , featurin g man y ofth e ca ses ina searchable datab a se.  The exact nu mbe r of o ff ice r sw ith  c o nvi c t ions is unknown .

Earlier  t h is  year, rep o rte rs  from t he Inve stiga t ive Rep orting Pr ogram atUC  Ber k e ley  obtaineda secret  state li s t ofn ea rly 1 2,0 00 off ic ers  andapplic a nts  with  convi ct ions i n the  p ast deca de. But the state Attor ney Ge neral ’sOffice re fus e d t o say who  onthe list w asanactua l o f ficer . Re p or ter s  ulti mate l y were ab l etor e vi ew about 1, 0 0 0  co urt f ile s  and u sednews clips to ide n tify other cas es.A tto rne y  Gen er al Xavier Bece rra  h a s  refused  t o answer qu estionsab o ut th e list  and h is offi c e  d e clined  num ero us interv iew  r e questsbe fo r e theseri es  ran a nd aga i n fo r this story.

Mic haelR a ins,a  Ba y Are a- based l a wyer  who repre sents law e nforce ment , inc ludingof ficers  na me d in the n e wspapers'  inve stigati on , sa idhe was  “di s m ayed”  tore adabout the c ri m es  c o mmi tted  by p ol iceofficers, callingthe m  a “sme ar  on t he gre a tn a me and rep uta tion
. Instead,_almost all_hiring and firing decisions_are up_to_local departments.

So_while_many departments hold_officers to the_highest ethical standards, there_are some that_allow_officers accused—and even convicted—of egregious misconduct to stay on the force.

And some small rural_departments_have a_history_of_hiring cast-off cops. For example,_the news coalition's investigation found_the police_department in the Kern County city of McFarland_hired_more than a_dozen officers in the last decade—nearly one of every_five officers—who were either sued or_fired from another_department_for_misconduct or convicted of_a crime.

Jackson said the question now_for her fellow legislators is: “Do_we want some kind of state oversight?”

'It’s_not a partisan issue'

At least one_Republican legislator agrees. State Sen._John Moorlach,_who represents parts of Orange_County, is vice_chair of_the senate’s public_safety committee. Moorlach said he’d likely_support more state_oversight, including decertification.

“It’s the right thing_to_do. It’s not_a_partisan_issue. It’s_about quality control,”_Moorlach_said.

Assemblywoman Buffy_Wicks,_an Oakland Democrat who sits on_the_Assembly's public safety committee, agreed. “There’s no_denying that we need_to_explore changes once this_level of sunlight is cast_on law enforcement," she said in_a statement.

The_series examined_the cases of 630 current and former officers convicted of a_crime in the past decade, featuring_many of the cases_in a_searchable_database. The exact_number_of officers_with convictions is unknown.

Earlier this year, reporters_from the_Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley_obtained a secret state_list_of nearly 12,000 officers and applicants_with convictions in the past decade._But the state Attorney General’s_Office_refused_to say who on the_list was an actual officer. Reporters_ultimately were able_to review about 1,000 court files and_used_news clips to identify other cases.

Attorney_General_Xavier Becerra has refused to answer_questions_about_the list and his office_declined numerous interview requests before the_series ran and again for this story.

Michael Rains, a_Bay Area-based lawyer_who represents law enforcement, including_officers_named_in the newspapers' investigation, said he was “dismayed” to read_about the_crimes committed by_police officers, calling them a “smear on the great name_and reputation