Sacramento Community Police Review Commission Meeting - June 10, 2024
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Sacramento Community Police Review Commission Meeting - June 10, 2024
The Sacramento Community Police Review Commission (SCPRC) held its regular meeting on Monday, June 10, 2024, from 5:31 PM to 7:28 PM at City Hall. Commissioners heard public comments, approved consent calendar items, and discussed updates on police military equipment policy, city rules affecting commission operations, and a planned joint workshop with the City Council.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kai On (community member) spoke about the unresolved investigation into his father's death, alleging a fake police report and requesting assistance from the commission. He stated that he has not received an investigation of the report and that the driver's name, Jun Su Fong, has not been confirmed by the police chief. He requested OPSA to investigate.
- Mike Whiteside (Vice Chair, Sacramento County Community Review Commission) expressed support for collaboration between the two commissions, noting that his body was formed in 2021 and produced a full-year report with 13 recommendations for the sheriff's department in 2023. He hopes to attend SCPRC meetings regularly.
- Commissioners discussed the need for clearer procedures for the public to share documents with the commission, including suggesting that the agenda include instructions to bring 20 copies (per council rules). Chair Bliss committed to following up on adding verbal language to the meeting script and agenda.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1: Approval of Meeting Minutes (May 13, 2024) – Approved with 8 yes (Buenrostro, Carter, Griggs, J. Johnson, Z. Johnson, Landeros, Salazar, Smith), 1 no (Chair Bliss), and 2 abstentions (Carter Martinez, Sample).
- Item 2: OPSA Quarterly Report (Q1 2024) – Received and filed unanimously (11 yes, 0 no).
Discussion Items
- Item 3: Update on Sacramento Police Department’s 2024 Military Equipment Use Policy (AB481) – Captain Buchanan presented the completed 107-page report, submitted to the city attorney. The policy will be posted on the transparency page by the end of the following week, with a public survey open until August 5, 2024, available in five languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong). The report includes an appendix with usage details (incident number, district, zip code, demographics, equipment used, reason, and conclusion). A community forum is scheduled for July 22, 2024, at Oak Park Community Center (capacity 100 standing, 80 seated). The commission will assist with outreach via social media, emails, and council announcements. Commissioners discussed the format and Brown Act compliance; the city attorney will review whether more than three commissioners can attend in a listening capacity. The item was received and filed.
- Item 4: SCPRC Follow-Up Log – Received and filed. Added items: a request for a presentation on RIPA (Racial Identity Profiling Act) data and policies, and a request to update rules for public engagement (including verbal language on agendas).
- Item 5: Discussion and Approval of Recommendations Regarding City Rules (Chapter 2.40) – The commission discussed the need to restore ad hoc committees, clarify attendance policies, and address term limits. Two motions passed:
- Motion 1 (Smith/Landeros): Approved a letter of recommendation to the Mayor and City Council supporting changes to allow ad hoc committees with clear guidelines (purpose, time limit of 11 months, advisory only). Passed unanimously (11 yes).
- Motion 2 (Z. Johnson/J. Johnson): Approved additional recommendations to address attendance policies (excused absences within a calendar year, not rolling) and term limits for chair/vice chair. Passed 10 yes, 1 abstain (Carter Martinez). Vice Chair Buenrostro was authorized to finalize the letter.
- Item 6: Discussion on Joint Workshop with City Council – Received and filed. Commissioners provided feedback on the purpose, scope, and format. Key topics: the need for a formal recommendation follow-up process, staff support, and role clarity. Chair Bliss and Vice Chair Buenrostro will follow up with council to schedule the workshop.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar Items approved as noted.
- Military Equipment Use Policy: Survey to be posted; community forum set for July 22, 2024.
- City Rules Recommendations: Two letters approved to be sent to Mayor and City Council.
- Joint Workshop: Feedback collected; next steps include scheduling with council.
- Meeting Extension: Motion to extend past 2 hours passed (10 yes, 1 abstain).
- Commissioner Comments: Chair Bliss raised concerns about the police budget, noting a proposed $28 million increase to a record $250 million, while the city faces a $66 million shortfall. He also criticized the Sacramento Police Officers Association president for attending a council meeting armed in civilian attire and claiming the police department had been defunded. Commissioners Carter, Wayne Johnson, and Griggs expressed support for officers being armed at all times.
Meeting adjourned at 7:28 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, uh everybody watching at home and in chambers. Uh welcome to Monday, June 10th, 2024 meeting of the Sacramento Community Police Review Commission. This meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the role to establish core? Thank you, Chair. Uh Commissioners, if you could please unmute your microphones. Commissioner Sample, present. Commissioner John Johnson. President. Commissioner Z. Johnson is currently absent. Commissioner Carter Martinez. Present. Vice Chair Buen Rostro. Present. Commissioner Griggs. Present. Commissioner Carter. Present. Commissioner Landeros. President. Commissioner Smith. Present. Mr. Castillo Krings is absent. Commissioner Espinoza Salazar. Present. And Chair Bliss. Here. Thank you, Clerk. I would like to remind members of the public and chambers that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip when the item begins to provide greater community participation in our commission's work. We will also allow more time for members of the public to give comments and will ask the clerk to accept speaker slips until the final speaker has concluded their comments. For matters not on the agenda, you will have five minutes to speak once you were called upon. For matters listed on the agenda, you will also have five minutes to speak once you were called upon. We will be adjusting the order of our agenda to first hear public comment, matters not on the agenda, followed by the consent calendar, then the discussion calendar before closing with commissioner ideas, questions, and comments. And with that, we will now proceed with today's agenda and I will pass it to my vice chair to lead us in the pledge of elections. Or in the land acknowledgement. I will recognize that. I will do that. To the original people of this land, the Nissanan people, the Southern Maidu Valley and Plains Miwok, the Patwin Winton peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather today together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous peoples, history, contribution, and lives. Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I will turn it over to the Vice Chair. One nation under God, individual with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Commissioners. Our first business today is public comments, matters not on the agenda. And as a reminder for the public, you will have five minutes to speak on this item. Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to make public comment? Thank you, Chair.
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