California Bill Would Train Officers Not To Target Motorcycle Riders, But Is It Necessary?
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — New legislation would have police officers undergo more training to ensure they don't unfairly target motorcycle riders, but is the law really necessary?
Riders say they're being singled out and treated like they're all part of the cast of "Sons of Anarchy," and a local assemblyman thinks a law is needed to keep everyone accountable.
Video shot after a unity rally in Sacramento shows what Gregory Coppes calls motorcycle profiling by Stockton Police.
"It's painfully obvious that they're untrained. When the questions are asked of them, they don't have an answer to them other than to try and intimidate you," he said.
He took the road rumbled to Assemblyman Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova) who is now trying to curb unjust stops with Assembly Bill 334. It would require law enforcement agencies to create training and policies that ban discrimination against riders.
"If there's no evidence of wrongdoing, why stop them and subject them to a roadside stop?" he said.
Stockton Police wouldn't comment on the pending legislation. A spokesperson said officers were acting on a tip that the group was affiliated with a problematic club planning to take over the streets.
While the incident isn't deterring regular riders, the hope is that the new measure won't backfire.
"If we have to have a law to get it done, then that's what we're willing to do. We're willing to fight," said Rodney Grenier with the Modified Motorcycles Association of California
Because the new bill is still under review, the California Police Officers Association declined to comment on this story.