Leap Comments on California Governor’s Intervention in Policing
UCLA Luskin Social Welfare’s Jorja Leap commented in a CalMatters article on efforts by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to influence local police agencies to change a number of law enforcement policies. Recent state intervention includes urging Oakland city leaders to change policy on police chases and the deployment of California Highway Patrol officers to Oakland and other California cities. National Guard prosecutors also have been sent to assist the district attorneys of Alameda County, San Francisco, Bakersfield and Riverside with drug cases. These efforts have drawn both support and criticism. Leap, an adjunct professor of social welfare who studies gang violence and community policing, described the state’s actions as a temporary fix for a deeply rooted problem. “We have a bunch of police chiefs who all stood up and said, ‘We can’t arrest our way out of the problem,’” Leap said. “And now we’ve got a governor going, ‘Yes, we can.’”
The Luskin Center’s insights into Governor Newsom’s intervention in policing highlight a critical discussion on the balance between state oversight and local autonomy in law enforcement. The decision to step in reflects growing concerns about accountability, public safety, and the need for systemic reform in certain jurisdictions.
One key takeaway is the emphasis on evidence-based policies to improve policing outcomes. While state intervention can provide necessary oversight and resources, sustainable change ultimately requires collaboration between local governments, law enforcement agencies, and communities. Transparency, trust-building, and clear metrics for success should be prioritized to ensure that reforms are both effective and equitable.
It would be interesting to see how this intervention influences long-term policing strategies across California and whether it sets a precedent for state-level involvement in local law enforcement nationwide.