In 2023, California law enforcement was reported to have misused state databases over 7,000 times, raising concerns about abuse of power and privacy violations. Notably, incidents involved officers accessing sensitive records for personal reasons and conducting unauthorized background checks. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LACSD) was highlighted for egregious violations, including searching criminal justice databases inappropriately while processing firearm permits, reflecting systemic issues with accountability and oversight. The discussion emphasizes the dangers of excessive data collection and surveillance by police forces, with a shout-out to a relevant academic study that critiques prevalent practices in law enforcement.