Organization

California Department of Justice
Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Fresno, or Los Angeles, California

Posted Date

January 21, 2025

Contact Information

Alysia Phillips
LegalRecruiters@doj.ca.gov

Police Practices Section – Deputy Attorney General

The California Department of Justice is hiring an experienced Police Practices Section – Deputy Attorney General.

The Police Practices Section (PPS) is seeking experienced and motivated attorneys to join our team dedicated to constitutional policing within the California Department of Justice.

The Attorney General has broad constitutional and statutory oversight relating to local and state law enforcement agencies in California. PPS handles a broad range of investigations, formal and informal reviews, monitoring of consent decrees, and other actions related to local and state law enforcement agencies on behalf of the Attorney General. The advertised position will support PPS’s general constitutional policing investigations under California Civil Code section 52.3, the implementation of Assembly Bill 1506, including Government Code sections 12525.3, subdivision (b)(2)(B)(iii) and 12525.3, subdivision (c), and policing policy reviews including Hate Crimes Policy Oversight under Assembly Bill 449. PPS will work on general issues relating to policing and the Fourth Amendment, including use of force and de-escalation, shooting death reviews, operations, management and supervision, such as hiring, promotion, discipline, and termination of sworn officers, and community engagement and civilian oversight of local and state law enforcement agencies. The attorney hired into the advertised position will have significant engagement with other sections and divisions of the Department of Justice, including the Division of Law Enforcement, the Criminal Law Division, the Civil Division, and other sections of the Public Rights Division, as well as other state and local agencies. Well-qualified candidates will have demonstrated a subject matter expertise with law enforcement issues, as well as a commitment to civil rights and social justice, countering bias, and advancing the rights of Californians through investigation, litigation, or other forms of advocacy, as explained in their statement of qualifications.

Assignments in the Police Practices Section may include: affirmatively planning, organizing, managing, and conducting large-scale investigations and civil litigation, often on cutting edge, novel issues of law and fact; researching complex factual and legal issues on emerging constitutional rights and civil liberties issues relating to policing practices often involving the Fourth Amendment; engaging with law enforcement agencies, civil rights organizations, other advocates, and members of the public; providing advice on sensitive and high-profile matters to the Attorney General, other high level state officials and agencies, and other sections and divisions of the Department of Justice; reviewing and analyzing proposed state and federal legislation; preparing informational materials for the public; and developing model policies, training, and best practices for state and local law enforcement agencies. The most competitive candidates will have significant experience with systemic impact investigations and/or developing and litigating complex matters in federal and state courts.

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on DOJ’s current telework policy. While DOJ supports telework, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises.

Classifications Considered:

  • Deputy Attorney General
  • Deputy Attorney General III
  • Deputy Attorney General IV
  • Deputy Attorney General V (lateral transfers only)

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Membership in the California State Bar

Desirable Qualifications:

The Police Practices Section is seeking candidates with all ranges of experience as an attorney in terms of years of practice, professional experience, especially including investigations and litigation. Because PPS handles matters focused on oversight of local law enforcement agencies, the most competitive candidates will possess a background in this subject matter area, as described above, though general experience in civil rights investigations and enforcement will also be considered.

Application Process

Please submit an application via CalCareers by 1/28/2025: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=462627

In your application package, please include:

  • Standard State Application (completed online)
  • Resume
  • Statement of Qualifications (described in the link above)