Peace officers: Department of Justice: independent investigation.

Existing law establishes the Department of Justice under the direction and control of the Attorney General, and requires the Department of Justice to perform duties in the investigation of crimes as may be assigned by the Attorney General. Existing law requires each department or agency in this state that employs peace officers to establish a procedure to investigate complaints by members of the public against the personnel of these departments or agencies, as specified. This bill would require the Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor to direct an independent investigation if a peace officer, in the performance of his or her duties, uses deadly physical force upon another person and that person dies as a result of the use of that deadly physical force. The bill would grant the special prosecutor the sole authority to determine whether criminal charges should be filed. The bill would make the special prosecutor responsible for prosecuting any charges filed.