California Department of Justice — Police Practices and Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation (CaPSIT)
CA DOJ / CaPSIT
Summary
Under AB 1506 (Cal. Gov. Code §12525.3, effective July 1, 2021), the California Attorney General must investigate all officer-involved shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian. The California Police Shooting Investigation Team (CaPSIT) conducts criminal investigations from inception to conclusion, with completed investigations referred to DOJ's Special Prosecutions Section for independent prosecutorial review. The AG may initiate criminal charges. Reports are posted publicly. A companion Police Practices Division (operational July 2023) reviews agency deadly force policies on request. The statute does not establish a standalone body with fixed membership — investigators are DOJ staff under the elected Attorney General.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Executive appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | Not specified |
| Removal standard | At will (weak protection) |
| Budget independence | Executive discretion |
| Subpoena power | Yes |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Case-by-case |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- AB 1506 (2020) — Attorney General Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations
- Citation
- Cal. Gov. Code §12525.3
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
All California peace officers involved in shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian; Police Practices Division reviews deadly force policies statewide on request