California Taxpayers Demand Answers on $7 Million Police Project

California taxpayers spent $6.87 million funding a statewide police records database managed by UC Berkeley. The goal was simple: improve public access to law enforcement misconduct, use-of-force incidents, and officer accountability records. But critics say taxpayers aren’t getting what they paid for. Despite launching in 2025 with over 1.5 million pages of records, investigators found major gaps in recent data—including missing records from 2025 and 2026. That raises serious questions about government efficiency, public transparency, and whether taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely. In this interview, Center Square investigative reporter Adam Herbets breaks down: • Where the $6.87 million went • Why recent police misconduct records are missing • Whether California should continue funding UC Berkeley • Why lawmakers are questioning the project’s future • Alternative ways to improve transparency at lower cost As California faces budget pressure, the debate over accountability and taxpayer spending is heating up. #California #TaxpayerMoney #PoliceTransparency #GovernmentSpending #UCBerkeley