California Gov. Newsom signs sweeping police reform bills, will strip badges from officers for misconduct

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a series of eight bills on police reform Thursday, including one that will decertify law enforcement officers over misconduct.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a wide-sweeping set of police reform laws Thursday, including one that would prevent an officer from being employed by another police department after being convicted of misconduct.

The new legislation also raises the minimum age to become a law enforcement officer from 18 to 21; sets limits on the use of rubber bullets and tear gas to protect protesters; and establishes new accountability measures.

The legislation, SB2, also known as the "Kenneth Ross Jr. initiative," will decertify law enforcement officers after conviction for misconduct or serious crimes and prevents them from moving to other departments. Officers can be decertified for excessive force, sexual assault, demonstration of bias and dishonesty.

The bill was named after 25-year-old Kenneth Ross Jr. who was fatally shot by Gardena Police Department Officer Michael Robbins in April 2018 while running away from police in Rowley Park, local Los Angeles ABC station KABC reported. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office determined that the officer "acted lawfully in self-defense" because he believed Ross was an active shooter.