The First Amendment Coalition is suing El Monte for refusing to provide a nonprofit news organization with records authorizing its police officers to take second jobs. “These documents are critical to keeping El Monte and the police department accountable for ensuring that officers are not overworked or double-dipping at taxpayers’ expense.”The El Monte Police Department requires officers to get written approval from the chief of police before moonlighting, and officers who do not comply can be subject to disciplinary action. State law further restricts officers from working jobs that could be considered a conflict of interest. The city disclosed in its denial letter that 14 of its officers have received such approval. At the time, El Monte, under the same leadership, released a copy of the the chief’s “outside employment application” to the Southern California News Group to prove that the chief had received the proper authorization.