The Bakersfield Monitoring Team (BMT) is responsible for assessing the compliance of the City of Bakersfield (City) and the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) with the Stipulated Judgment entered into by the California Department of Justice (CALDOJ), the City and BPD. 

The Stipulated Judgment identifies a series of police reforms aimed at improving policing practices in Bakersfield to protect individuals' statutory and constitutional rights, treat individuals with dignity and respect, and promote public safety in a manner that is responsive to the community's priorities. 

Our role is to monitor, evaluate and assess BPD’s progress in meeting the reform mandates. The BMT will monitor compliance and provide advice and technical assistance in achieving the reform goals.

An important part of the Monitor’s role is to evaluate whether the police practices have improved under the Judgment. To this end, we will conduct audits and outcome assessments to determine compliance and whether measurable improvements in community perceptions on policing have occurred. We will report annually on the progress that BPD makes as it works through the Judgment requirements. Our website will be updated to reflect this progress, news and other pertinent information as it becomes known.

We recognize our role in building community trust, establishing open lines of communication and working collaboratively to facilitate reform. We will seek to ensure stakeholders, community members, and BPD personnel are heard. The BMT will engage with stakeholders, organize community meetings and provide educational forums for the community throughout the monitoring process.

We have an important role in Bakersfield’s future. However, the BMT does not direct the actions of the City, the Chief of Police or BPD. We do not have the authority to take police action or receive complaints to investigate. However, we believe that under the Judgment, our role in ensuring the implementation of lasting systemic change within BPD will benefit all communities and stakeholders.