Sacramento Community Police Review Commission Meeting - August 10, 2020
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Sacramento Community Police Review Commission Meeting - August 10, 2020
The Sacramento Community Police Review Commission held a teleconference meeting on August 10, 2020, starting at 6:01 p.m. and adjourning at 7:46 p.m. Commissioners discussed the formation and scope of ad hoc committees, reviewed the complaint activity report, and updated the follow-up log. Key decisions included expanding the Rules of Procedure Ad Hoc to examine the commission's structure and keeping the Mental Health Ad Hoc name while broadening its scope. Public comment was received via phone and eComment.
Consent Calendar
- Meeting Minutes (March 9, 2020): Approved unanimously, with an amendment to reflect Chair Guerrero's self-appointment to the Mental Health Ad Hoc.
- January-March 2020 Police Complaint Activity Report: Received and filed. The motion passed with 7 yes votes, 2 abstentions (Commissioners Falcon and Savage-Sangwan), and 2 absences (Commissioners King and Carter).
- Commissioner Savage-Sangwan requested a future conversation with OPSA to provide more robust complaint data, noting the need for more meaningful information.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Norman Nelson (public comment on Item 3): Supported Commissioner Savage-Sangwan's request for a more robust complaint report and suggested moving it to a discussion item. He also recommended including district, ethnicity, gender, and reason for police contact in the report, and emphasized the need for community outreach.
Discussion Items
- Item 3: Discuss Formation of Additional Ad Hoc Committees: Chair Guerrero initiated a discussion on whether to create new ad hoc committees or change the scope of existing ones. Commissioners agreed to keep the Mental Health Ad Hoc name but expand its scope to include broader issues like substance abuse and homelessness, reflecting the mayor's reimagining of SPD. They also agreed to expand the Rules of Procedure Ad Hoc to include reviewing the commission's own structure and responsibilities, integrating a suggestion from Commissioner Zamora and supported by Commissioners Falcon, Marion, Savage-Sangwan, and others. No new committees were formed.
- Item 4: Follow-Up Log: The log was received and filed. Commissioners discussed outstanding data requests, including mental health data from SPD, and the need for a response from the city attorney on waiving attorney-client privilege for a use-of-force memo. The city attorney's office clarified that only the mayor and council can waive privilege, and recommended submitting it as part of the commission's regular recommendations. Commissioner Savage-Sangwan suggested inviting the ACLU to present on compliance with state law, which was added to the log.
Ad Hoc Committee Updates
- Mental Health Ad Hoc: Co-Chair Richard Falcon and Commissioner Savage-Sangwan presented preliminary recommendations, including redirecting $5 million annually from SPD budget to community-based mental health programs, creating grant programs, integrating services into 911 dispatch, and establishing a serious incident review board for mental health-related use of force cases.
- Discipline and Accountability Ad Hoc: Chair Carter presented recommendations on eliminating qualified immunity, rejecting applicants with histories of excessive force, zero tolerance for lying, and strengthening the inspector general's independence. Commissioner Savage-Sangwan raised concerns about the Lexipol contract ($150,000/year) and recommended termination. Chair Guerrero added a recommendation for SPD to bring future policies to the commission before adoption.
- Rules of Procedure Ad Hoc: Co-Chairs Castillo-Krings and Sabeniano reported progress on a procedural document, with legal review by the city attorney's office, and expanded scope to include commission structure.
Key Outcomes
- Approved consent calendar items.
- Expanded scope of Mental Health Ad Hoc (no name change) and Rules of Procedure Ad Hoc to include commission self-review.
- Appointed Commissioner Marion to the Mental Health Ad Hoc; Chair Guerrero stepped down.
- Added follow-up log items: request for SPD to provide written responses to commission recommendations (and consider public forum), request for a presentation on SAC PD budget (possibly by the city or Measure U Chair Lo John Cooper), request for a report on lawsuits and payouts, and request to invite ACLU to present on compliance.
- Commissioner Marion requested side-by-side quarterly complaint data for comparison; this was noted.
Meeting Transcript
Mario, I'm gonna go ahead and put thirty seconds on the clock before you can call the meeting to order. Chair, you can call the meeting when you'd like. I was on mute. Good evening, everyone. Uh the Sacramento Community Police Review Commission will uh come to order. Uh will the clerk please uh establish a roll call or establish quorum. Yes. Uh Commissioner Marion. Here. Commissioner Castillo Kings. Commissioner King. Commissioner Elkara. Commissioner Alkara. Bossum, can you let us know you're here? He's there, but he's on mute. He has to. Basum, can you unmute yourself? I will text him, continue with the roll call. Basum, can you tell us that you're here? Continue with roll call. I'll I'll send him a text. Commissioner Sabignano. Can you guys hear me? Now we can hear you. I can't hear you for some reason. Can you hear us now? Bossum. Go ahead and continue, Mandy, please. I'll I'll uh text Boston. Commissioner Sabaniano. Can everyone hear Mario? Here. Commissioner Escobar. Present. Commissioner Zamora. Present. Commissioner Falcone. Here. Commissioner Savage Sangwan. Here. Chair Grero. Present. Vice Chair Carter. Do we have a quorum? Vice Chair Carter unmute herself. Vice Chair Carter appears to be frozen. She may be having internet problems. Okay. We do have a quorum. Was Castillo Kring on for roll call?
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