Craig

Plaintiffs appeal from an order (judgment) directing defendants (California Highway Patrol [CHP] and certain of its officers) to disclose only limited portions of the California Highway Patrol manual and officer’s guide pursuant to the Public Records Act (PRA) (Gov. Code, § 6250 et seq.). Plaintiffs are a state taxpayer (see Code Civ. Proc., § 526a) David M. Fishlow, an unincorporated association, the Northern California Police Practices Project (Project), and the American Civil Liberties Union.

The material sought by plaintiffs is utilized by the patrol in training its officers and is compiled in four separate documents: (1) “Enforcement Tactics” (HPG 70.6) explaining the general objectives of the patrol, officer investigative use of senses, enforcement procedures including officer-violator contact, search and handcuffing techniques, the use of firearms, patrol vehicle operations, and hostage incidents; (2) “Weapons Training Manual” (HPM 70.8) describing weapon utilization policies, weapon training and practice, maintenance, chemical agent transportation and use; (3) “Personal Weapons and Physical Methods of Arrest Guide” (HPG 70.13) depicting methods of unarmed combat,…