Los Angeles Police Department employs almost 10,000 full-time officers (California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, 2021).
San Diego County
The City of Coronado has a total of 45 full-time police officers for a population of 24,000 residents (California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, 2021; United States Census Bureau, 2019).
Law Enforcement Data
The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) provides data on:
Employment and demographics of law enforcement officers across California.
The POST Data Portal can be utilized to investigate more about local law enforcement.
Structure of Government in California
Three Branches of Government
Executive Branch
Headed by the Governor, who is the chief executive officer of California.
Governed by Article V of the California Constitution, stating that:
"The Governor shall see that the law is faithfully executed."
The electorate selects the Governor, expecting them to maintain justice through the proper execution of laws.
Required qualifications for Governor:
Must be an elector, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of California for 5 years prior to election.
Cannot hold another public office simultaneously.
Limited to 2 terms in office (Cal. Const. art. 5).
Legislative Branch
Bicameral legislature, similar to the United States Congress.
Comprises:
Senate
40 Senators elected for four-year terms (Cal. Const. art. 4).
Assembly
80 members elected for two-year terms (Cal. Const. art. 4).
Responsible for law-making.
Judicial Branch
Defined in Article VI of the California Constitution as follows:
"The judicial power of this State is vested in the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, and superior courts, all of which are courts of record."
Every county has a superior court with one or more judges (Cal. Const. art. 6).
Population and Diversity in California
Demographics
As of July 1, 2019, California's estimated population was approximately 39,512,223.
Data sourced from the U.S. Census.
Significant racial demographics from the 2019 American Community Survey include:
Latino: 39%
White: 36%
Asian or Pacific Islander: 15%
African American: 6%
Native American or Alaska Natives: 1%
Multiracial or Other: 3%
Impact of Diversity
The diversity of California influences the administration of justice at various points within the system.
Encourages reflection on how local police forces resemble their communities based on demographic data.
Critical Reflection on California's Justice System
California serves as a leader in many positive aspects of the criminal justice system but also faces areas needing improvement.
Critical thinking and analysis are encouraged regarding the balance between strengths and weaknesses within the system.
References
California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. (2021, January 4). Current Employed Full-Time Sworn Reserve and Dispatcher Personnel. Retrieved from https://post.ca.gov/Portals/0/post_docs/hiring/le-employment-stats.pdf
California Department of Parks and Recreation. (n.d.). California Admission Day September 9, 1850. State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved from https://www.parks.ca.gov/page_id=23856#:~:text=In%201849%2C%20Californians%20sought%20statehood,state%20on%20September%209%2C%201850.
California Senate Governance and Finance Committee. (n.d.). Local Government. California Senate Governance and Finance Committee. Retrieved from https://sgf.senate.ca.gov/content/local-government.
United States Census Bureau. (2019). QuickFacts. Retrieved April 14, 2021 from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/coronadocitycalifornia