California AG Blocks Access To Names In Gang Database Entered By The LAPD

The California Department of Justice has blocked access to all names in the state’s gang database that were put there by the LAPD.

The database has been criticized for years, but law enforcement continued to rely on it.

Things began to change in January after the LA Times reported that LAPD officers were falsely identifying people as gang members.

Three officers have been charged with falsifying records, and more than 20 are still under investigation.

Last week, Chief Michel Moore told the Police Commission his department will no longer participate in the database.

For now, the names the LAPD entered into the database remain in the system, but Attorney General Xavier Becerra said no law enforcement agency will have access to them.

LAPD entries account for nearly one-quarter of the almost 80,000 names in the system, he said.

Beccera said every police department in the state should audit its entries in the database to make sure they’re valid.

“It should now be obvious to everyone: CalGang must change,” he said.

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.