California Department of Justice Steps in to Provide Independent Oversight of Investigation into the Shooting Death of Stephon Clark

SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced that the California Department of Justice (DOJ) will be stepping in to provide independent oversight of the investigation into the shooting death of Stephon Alonzo Clark. During a press conference with Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert and Sacramento community leaders, Attorney General Becerra pledged that the California DOJ will lend its experience to ensure a fair and impartial investigation. The California DOJ will also evaluate law enforcement policies, procedures, and practices to identify ways to achieve safer outcomes.  

“I stand together with Sacramento law enforcement, city and community leaders to announce that the California Department of Justice will lend our experience to ensure the investigation into the tragic death of Stephon Clark is fair, thorough, and impartial,” said Attorney General Becerra. “We take on this responsibility in full recognition of the importance of getting it right – because there is nothing more important than respect and trust between law enforcement and the communities that they are sworn to protect as we work to keep all Californians safe.” 

While investigations of this kind are generally handled by local District Attorneys, the California DOJ is entering this investigation at the request of Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn. As part of the agreement with the Sacramento Police Department, the California DOJ will also evaluate police department policies, procedures, and practices to help identify ways to achieve safer outcomes for community members and officers.