San Francisco Police Commission Meeting - October 5, 2022

The San Francisco Police Commission held its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at 1:45 PM. The meeting included presentations on recruitment of women, a status update on sustained DPA cases, and community policing plans. Commissioners voted on several routine items, adopted revised department general orders, accepted gifts and grants, and heard public comment on racial disparities and other issues. The meeting lasted approximately four hours and included a closed session.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of Minutes: The commission adopted the minutes for the meetings of September 7 and September 21, 2022, by a unanimous vote. The minutes for September 14 were tabled due to a dispute over whether a second motion had been properly made regarding the election of officers; the commission will review the video recording before taking action.
• Awards Certification Panel (Item 9): The commission unanimously approved the panel’s recommendations for police awards, as listed in the chief’s letter.
• Revised Department General Order 2.08 (Item 11): The commission unanimously approved revised DGO 2.08, “Peace Officer Rights in Disciplinary Investigations,” for meet and confer with the SFPOA.
• Acceptance of Gift Vehicles (Item 13): The commission unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Board of Supervisors to authorize the Chief to accept and expend an in-kind gift of two utility vehicles (estimated market value $38,644.58) from the Union Square Alliance for high-visibility patrol.
• Acceptance of Cal OES Grant (Item 14): The commission unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Board of Supervisors to authorize the Chief to accept a $69,818 grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the crime lab’s continuing education and instrumentation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Racial Disparities and Accountability: Several callers speaking for the group Wealth and Disparities in the Black Community (including David Aronson, Susan Buckman, and Jean Bridges, reading statements from founder Felicia Jones) expressed frustration with persistent anti-black disparities in SFPD use of force, arrests, and traffic stops. They called the commission’s attention to a lack of urgency, the need for reporting on repeat-offender officers with demographic data (citing DOJ COPS recommendation 69.3), and the omission of pre-2017 officer-involved shootings from recent presentations. One caller specifically noted that Black San Franciscans are 15 times as likely to experience use of force as white San Franciscans, according to the 2022 Q1 report.
• Opposition to Gift Vehicles: Susan Buckman, speaking for herself, opposed accepting the utility vehicles from the Union Square Alliance, calling it a “bribe” and warning that such gifts could lead to mission creep similar to the federal drug war.
• Unsolved Homicide: Paul Ed Brown thanked the commission and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins for assistance obtaining a headstone for his son, who was murdered in 2006, and reiterated the need for resolution in unsolved cases.
• Community Policing Criticism: Gloria Barry (District 10) criticized SFPD’s community policing efforts, urging better marketing, attendance at non-police events, and an end to using police cars for photos with Black children.
• Traffic Enforcement: Paul Allen (brief technical issue) referenced a draft traffic enforcement order (9.01) in supplemental written comments.

Discussion Items

• Recruitment of Women (Item 3): The commission heard two presentations. First, Maureen McGoff, founder of the 30x30 Initiative, described research showing women officers use force less often, have fewer lawsuits, and are more effective at searches. She noted that only 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leaders nationally are women, and that SFPD had announced its intention to join the 30x30 initiative (confirmed by Chief Scott on September 12). McGoff emphasized low-cost strategies: improving recruitment messaging, removing bias in hiring assessments, providing fitting equipment (vests, uniforms), lactation spaces, and childcare. Second, Commander Nicole Jones presented SFPD’s current efforts: 14.3% sworn women (above national average), 17% of leadership, and 19% of academy recruits in 2022 are women. She outlined recruitment events (95% had at least one female recruiter), elimination of height-weight requirement, replacement of the trigger pull test, and planned partnerships with a marketing firm and a recruiting firm. Commissioners discussed the need for paid parental leave, childcare, suitable firearms, and more women in specialty units (none currently on SWAT or Tactical). Chief Scott confirmed the department is reviewing a new weapon and has approved outer body armor carriers that better fit women. Commissioner Walker emphasized telling success stories to attract recruits.
• Chief’s Report (Item 4): Chief Scott reported year-to-date crime statistics: violent crime up 8% overall, homicides down 7% (40 compared to 43 in 2021), gun-related homicides down 18%, total gun violence down 4%. Gun recoveries are up 6% (805 firearms, including 163 ghost guns). The clearance rate for homicides is 60%. He highlighted three recent homicide arrests and announced a renewed effort in the Tenderloin, combining enforcement with transportation to services (using unmarked vans). Commissioners questioned the effectiveness of previous Tenderloin surges; Chief Scott acknowledged displacement and limited resources, but said the focus is on collaboration with DPH and service providers. He also noted a planned meeting with a judge to resolve remaining issues in the MOU with the DA (expiring October 17). Commissioner Yi noted improvements in daytime Tenderloin conditions but continuing issues at night. Commissioner Byrne pressed for more night deployment. Chief Scott said a more equitable overtime plan is being negotiated with the POA to sustain night patrols. Commissioner Yannis raised concerns about increased juvenile detentions (18 currently, up from an average of 4-5) potentially linked to drug arrests, and urged diversion efforts and attention to human trafficking victims. Chief Scott mentioned ongoing work on a pre-arrest diversion program with Probation Chief Miller.
• DPA Director’s Report (Item 5): Director Paul Henderson reported 2,526 cases opened year to date, 566 closed, 236 pending, and 49 sustained (up from 39 last year). 83 cases are pending with the chief. He announced plans to issue interim audit reports instead of waiting for full final reports, to enable faster action. He suggested the commission request a comprehensive list of all academic partnerships in the department.
• Commission Reports (Item 6): Several commissioners reported progress on DGO assignments. Vice President Carter Oberstone noted a three-hour town hall with traffic officers on DGO 9.01 (pretext stops) and set 90-day clocks for DGOs 6.08, 8.03, 8.10, and 9.05. Commissioner Benedicto reported on DGOs 7.01 (juvenile policy) and 5.16 (search warrants), and noted that interim audit reports may be ready by November. Commissioner Yannis requested agendizing a revision of DGO 2.09 (social media) and an update on the new early intervention system (benchmark). President Elias set 90-day clock for DGO 5.08.
• Sustained DPA Cases Pending Chief’s Review (Item 7): Commander Paul Yep presented a status report on 89 sustained cases as of September 16, 2022. Breakdown: 7 closed, 19 open-assigned to attorney, 46 open pending chief’s hearing (member appeal), 6 open pending chief’s hearing appeal (requesting commission hearing), 7 open pending chief’s review, 1 open pending meet and confer, 3 waiting for commission hearing. President Elias asked about the oldest case and the number of multiple-offense cases. Commander Yep agreed to provide those data. Director Henderson commended the transparency and requested additional information on 3304 statute-of-limitations violations, reasons for rescheduled hearings, and the volume of cases with multiple sustained findings. The commission agreed to follow up.
• Community Policing Plans (Item 8): Commander Juan Young and Captain Chris Del Gandio presented the department’s community policing plans (DGO 1.08). Plans are now published as public-facing slide presentations on the website. A new ordinance (Supervisor Mar) requires enhanced community engagement, foot/bike patrol emphasis, and language access. Captain Del Gandio noted a four-hour training for captains. Commissioner Yannis requested more granular quantitative data (number of events, participants, survey results) to measure engagement and ensure consistency across stations. Director Diana Oliva Roche said the department is seeking an academic partner to develop data-driven metrics and is studying other cities (NYPD, Seattle). The commission pushed for inclusion of critical voices and language access in all plans.
• Revised DGO 8.01 (Item 12): The commission was scheduled to vote on revised DGO 8.01, “Major and Critical Incident Evaluation and Notifications.” Chief Scott requested a last-minute change to language on first-arriving supervisor responsibilities (adding “when feasible” to establishing a command post to avoid conflict with active-attacker training). Commissioner Byrne objected to voting on an un-posted change, citing consistency with past commission practice. President Elias agreed to hold the item over to the next meeting so the revised version can be posted for public review. The DGO will be brought back the following week.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes: Adopted for September 7 and 21; tabled for September 14 (pending review of video).
• DGO 2.08: Approved unanimously for meet and confer.
• Awards Panel: Approved unanimously.
• Gift Vehicles: Approved unanimously (resolution to BOS).
• Cal OES Grant: Approved unanimously (resolution to BOS).
• DGO 8.01: Continued to next meeting (October 12) to incorporate minor change and allow public review.
• Closed Session: Unanimous vote to hold, and later unanimous vote not to disclose any discussion.
• SFPD Joining 30x30: Chief Scott announced the department publicly committed to the 30x30 initiative on September 12; the official paperwork is forthcoming.
• Notice of POST Audit: The chief confirmed that POST has a scheduled general background investigation audit (annual), but it is unrelated to recent Alameda County issues.
• Next Steps: Commissioners will continue working on assigned DGOs. The next meeting will include the re-posted DGO 8.01 and possibly an update on the DA MOU.