San Francisco Police Commission Meeting - April 13, 2022

The San Francisco Police Commission held its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, beginning at approximately 5:45 PM. The meeting included reports from the Chief of Police, the Director of the Department of Police Accountability (DPA), and presentations on staffing levels and the implementation of RIPA recommendations. The commission also adopted a revised Department General Order on awards and voted on closed session matters.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment (Item 1): Multiple members of the public spoke. Ms. Brown, mother of a 2006 murder victim, requested continued help and justice. Rita Lark asked about community police meetings in North Beach. Francisca raised quality of life issues and redistricting. Kate Hodge (Wealth and Disparities in the Black Community) urged the commission to track officer allegations through the system and highlighted the urgency of addressing anti-blackness. Jean Bridges (Wealth and Disparities) noted that the Q4 2021 96A report omitted racial disparity charts and that disparities were worsening; she stated the group has sought help from Attorney General Bonta.
• Public Comment on Chief's Report (Item 2): One caller urged commissioners to conduct a needs assessment on staffing and criticized the lack of officer dialogue. Another caller commended the Suit Up initiative but stressed the need for broader mental health and job support, and suggested digital posters at BART stations.
• Public Comment on Staffing Report (Item 6): A caller criticized the staffing analysis as not including community input and called for a true needs assessment. Another caller (Susan Buffman) urged the commission to eliminate low-level traffic stops to reduce officer workload.
• Public Comment on 96A/RIPA Update (Item 7): Susan Buffman, volunteering with Wealth and Disparities in the Black Community, stated that Q4 2021 data showed black residents are 6 times more likely to be subject to traffic stops, 10.5 times more likely to be subject to a search, and nearly 16 times more likely to experience use of force compared to white residents. She questioned why SFPD omitted racial disparity charts from the Q4 report.

Discussion Items

• Chief’s Report (Item 2): Chief Scott reported 13 homicides year-to-date (up from 10 in 2021), violent crime up 2%, property crime larceny up 29% (including car break-ins, though down 17% from 2019-2020), non-fatal shootings down 28%, and homicide-related shootings up 60%. He discussed a stabbing homicide in the Mission, two shootings, one fatal traffic collision, and increased patrols after the New York subway incident. He highlighted the Suit Up initiative with Macy’s for at-risk young men and the lifting of the booster mandate for SFPD. Commissioners asked about strategies for addressing homicide increases in the Mission and Ingleside districts, Bay Area-wide coordination, and updates on specific investigations.
• DPA Director’s Report (Item 3): Director Henderson reported 176 cases opened, 180 closed, 272 open, 9 sustained, 4 mediated, and 29 cases beyond 9 months (24 on hold). Top allegations by district were for unbecoming conduct and failure to investigate. The audit division is conducting an 18-month follow-up on the use of force audit. DPA staff received training on the Street Crisis Response Team and de-escalation. Commissioner Yannis requested breakdown by district for trend analysis.
• Commission Reports (Item 4): Commissioner Yi announced an invitation to visit Urban Alchemy (next Wednesday, 2-3 PM, 200 McAllister). Commissioner Yannis reported meeting with the League of Women Voters and requested agendizing the Community Policing DGO 1.08 revision for May or June. He also raised the issue of making it easier for community members to file complaints with DPA.
• Department General Order 3.09 – Department Awards (Item 5): The commission discussed and voted to adopt the revised order. Chief Scott, Director Henderson, and Sergeant Kilshaw noted it was a multi-year effort and that the new order is the most comprehensive in the nation. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
• Staffing Report Pursuant to Prop E (Item 6): Celeste Berg and Commander Jones presented the biennial staffing analysis. The report recommends 2,182 sworn officers and 554 professional staff. As of April 2022, the deficit is 459 sworn officers, up from 352 in September 2021. The methodology is workload-based, with a target of 30% time for community engagement. The report noted that staffing declines are driven by retirements and resignations, including a national trend. Commissioners discussed the need for better tracking of administrative time, analysis of non-patrol positions, and the potential for using professional staff to relieve sworn officers. The public comment included criticism of the analysis and suggestions to reduce traffic stops.
• Update on Chapter 96A Report and RIPA Recommendations (Item 7): Dr. Nik Shani Kodinovich presented the status of 130 RIPA recommendations. Of the 106 applicable to SFPD, 73 are implemented, 33 remain. Seven recommendations are not yet implemented: three are in progress with the Collaborative Reform Initiative (CRI), and four are delayed due to staffing shortages. Commissioner Yannis raised the issue of collecting self-identified ethnicity data (beyond officer perception) and suggested a working group to explore best practices. Commissioner Byrne asked for details on the seven unimplemented recommendations. The presenters agreed to provide a detailed spreadsheet.
• Closed Session Matters (Items 8-11): Public comment was taken on closed session items. The commission voted unanimously (5-0) to hold Item 10 in closed session and later voted unanimously not to disclose any discussion from that closed session.

Key Outcomes

• Adoption of DGO 3.09 (Department Awards): Passed unanimously (5-0). The revised order includes comprehensive criteria for awards, including consideration of pending discipline, and is considered a national model.
• Staffing Report: The commission received the report and discussed next steps, including requests for more detailed breakdowns of non-patrol positions and a cost analysis by call type. The report will be used for future planning.
• RIPA Recommendations: The commission agreed to schedule a future discussion on the status of unimplemented recommendations and the collection of self-identified ethnicity data. A working group may be formed.
• Closed Session: The commission voted to not disclose any discussion from the closed session (Item 10).
• Meeting Adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM (estimated).