San Francisco Police Commission Meeting – June 8, 2022

The San Francisco Police Commission met on June 8, 2022, to discuss the San Francisco Police Department's (SFPD) morale, crime trends, and departmental operations. The meeting included reports from Chief William Scott, DPA Director Paul Henderson, and commission reports on pretext stops and community policing. Public comment addressed racial profiling, lack of community engagement, and urgency for policy changes. The commission unanimously voted to enter closed session and not to disclose discussions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Francisco De Costa (35-year attendee) urged commissioners to unite the department and develop the ability to perform needs assessments, criticizing some commissioners' approach.
• Wesley Saver (Glide, Senior Policy Manager) spoke on behalf of the coalition to end pretext stops (over 60 organizations), requesting a clear timeline for working groups on DGO 9.01 revision and inclusive community participation.
• A caller from North Beach requested resumption of community meetings with the precinct; Chief Scott confirmed meetings have resumed and will provide details.
• Gene Bridges (Wealth and Disparities in the Black Community) quoted founder Felicia Jones, citing anti-blackness in use of force, arrests, and racial profiling by SFPD. He noted a Black San Franciscan is six times more likely to be stopped than a white person, and urged ending routine traffic stops, citing Berkeley's model.
• During the morale discussion, a public commenter advised commissioners to stop criticizing and focus on uplifting the department, warning that with low morale, the department could lose 400-500 officers.

Discussion Items

• Chief’s Report (Item 2): Chief Scott reported crime trends: homicides up 11% (20 year-to-date), rapes up 9%, assaults up 11%, property crime up 8% (driven by larceny up 20%, burglaries down 26%). Firearm seizures down 11% (409 year-to-date); ghost gun recoveries at 91 (down from 99). A notable trend of stabbing-related assaults and homicides. Arrests made in several homicide cases and organized retail thefts (suspects aged 14-16). Strategies focused on Bayview, Ingleside, Southern, and Tenderloin districts. He also noted the success of preventing side shows through proactive coordination.
• DPA Director’s Report (Item 3): Director Henderson reported 294 cases opened, 291 closed, 262 pending, 32 sustained, 10 mediated. 20 cases past 9 months (14 tolled, 12 pending with commission, 5 with chief). Allegations breakdown: 29% for failing to take required actions, second highest for failing to make arrests. Decreases in complaints from Southern and Tenderloin stations. He announced the Civic Bridge project for a new transparent case-tracking website at no cost to DPA budget, and updates on POST certification process.
• Commission Reports (Item 4): Commissioner Benedicto updated on the Preventing Crime Through Community Policing Act (passed Board of Supervisors) and efforts to revise DGO 9.01 (pretext stops). He requested formal working groups be convened. Commissioner Yannis requested a presentation on recruitment outreach for women and local officers, and community policing plans. Commissioner Yi reported attending an API forum and stressed the need for adequate funding.
• Discussion Regarding SFPD Morale (Item 5): Chief Scott presented a detailed analysis of morale factors, including internal procedural justice, external socio-political factors, staffing, equipment, and training. Strategies included wellness apps (Cortico), behavioral sciences unit diversity, FTFO and CIT training, discipline matrix, retention unit, and work with Stanford Spark for evaluation. He noted 54% of 916 respondents in a POA survey said they plan to leave the department. POA representative Lt. McRae and OFJ representative Lt. Williams spoke about low morale, feelings of being undervalued, overwork, inconsistent discipline, lack of communication, and systemic exclusion of black and brown officers from promotions. Commissioners discussed the need for better feedback mechanisms, early intervention systems, and leadership development.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous vote (6-0) to enter closed session (Item 7) and to assert attorney-client privilege for items 8(a) and 8(b).
• Unanimous vote (6-0) not to disclose any discussion from closed session (Item 9).
• Commission directed follow-up on North Beach community meetings (Chief Scott to provide schedule).
• Commission agreed to convene working groups for DGO 9.01 (pretext stops) with Commissioner Benedicto, Carter Overstone, and Vice President Elias as members.
• Chief Scott committed to provide a timeline for the next phase of the Stanford Spark morale evaluation and report back on CMCR training resumption.
• Commission noted the need for a formalized system for officer feedback (e.g., suggestion boxes) and a presentation on the promotional process to the public.