SACRAMENTO—On August 30, Governor Gavin Newsom repealed a bill that required able-bodied citizens 18 years or older to aide and assists police officers if requested.
The California Posse Comitatus Act of 1872 indicated that a person of age who refused to join the Posse Comitatus or the county power would be charged with a misdemeanor and charged with a fine up to $1,000.
The full text of the bill, SB 192, that Governor Newsom signed to repeal the law can be seen here.
SB 192 was sponsored by California Senator Bob Hertzberg, who represents the Los Angeles region.
The Sacramento Bee reported Hertzberg calling the law “A vestige of a bygone era.”
The California State Sheriff’s Association opposed the bill, noting “There are situations in which a peace officer might look to private persons for assistance in matters of emergency or risks to public safety, and we are unconvinced that the statute should be repealed.”
Canyon News reached out to the California State Sheriff’s Association for a statement, but did not hear back before print.
