San Francisco Police Commission Meeting - October 12, 2022
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San Francisco Police Commission Meeting - October 12, 2022
The San Francisco Police Commission met on October 12, 2022, at 1:45 PM to discuss a range of public safety, policy, and operational issues. The meeting included the Chief's crime report, updates on surveillance technology legislation, a traffic safety quarterly report, a presentation on reimagining policy development, and a vote to approve a revised department general order. The meeting also featured public comments on police accountability, community engagement, and unsolved homicides.
Public Comments & Testimony
- David Aronson (District 1 resident, volunteer with Wealth & Disparities in the Black Community) expressed frustration with anti-blackness in SFPD practices, criticized the DGO 9.01 working group process for lacking community input and limited public comment time, and called for urgent action.
- A caller commented on last week's meeting, expressing dismay that the police chief was unaware of the department's engagement with the 30x30 initiative despite a presentation.
- Susan Buckman (member of Wealth & Disparities in the Black Community) criticized the DGO 9.01 working group for having an overly heavy police presence and questioned Commissioner Carter Oberstone's impartiality, alleging he raised his voice at a community member.
- David Calderon requested assistance regarding SFDPA case 00046105-21 (his mother's homicide), alleging intentional mishandling by SFPD and DPA and lack of response from officials.
- Ms. Brown (mother of Aubrey Abercaster, murdered August 14, 2006) pleaded for help solving her son's case and asked if the reward could be increased.
- David Aronson returned to comment on Item 5, urging the commission to require per capita demographic reporting for surveillance to prevent over-surveillance of Black and Brown communities.
- Julie Tron (resident of District 8, speaking for the Bar Association) expressed concerns that the new surveillance policy remains unconstitutional without warrants and offered training assistance from former U.S. attorneys.
Chief's Report
Chief Bill Scott reported weekly crime trends: violent crimes up 8%, property crimes up 7%, total part one crime up 7% (about 2,700 more crimes than last year). Homicides down 9% (40 year-to-date), with a 61% clearance rate. Firearm homicides down 18% (27 vs. 33 last year). Gun violence incidents down 2%. Seized 814 weapons (163 guns). Fentanyl seizures nearly doubled to 48,754 gross grams, with 420 arrests and $116,962 seized from street-level dealers. Significant incidents: a homicide on Market Street (stabbing), a shooting on Griffith Avenue (second victim died Oct. 10), non-fatal shootings, arrests in a homicide and a residential robbery series, a stunt driving event involving 75-100 vehicles, and a seizure of 3.5 kg of fentanyl. The chief also announced official engagement with the 30x30 initiative. In response to questions, he confirmed a mediated agreement with the DA's office on MOU language, expected to present to the commission by Oct. 19. He also agreed to agendize a discussion on youth detention trends.
DPA Director's Report
Director Paul Henderson reported that in 2022, DPA has opened 538 cases, closed 567, and has 248 open. Sustained 50 cases (up from 39 last year). Mediated 18 cases. 22 cases have investigations exceeding nine months (18 due to tolling).
Commission Reports
- Commissioner Benedicto updated on DGO 9.01 working group (final meeting Oct. 20), upcoming CMCR training, and reported progress on several DGOs: 5.07 (rights of onlookers) entering concurrence; 6.16, 6.18, 7.01, 7.02 meetings being convened; 9.03, 10.11, 6.01/02 starting 90-day clock.
- Commissioner Walker discussed community meetings on street safety, work on DGO 5.22 (transgender interactions), and updates on other DGOs.
- Commissioner Yi highlighted outreach to Southeast Asian communities and focus on DGO 6.14 (5150 holds).
- Commissioner Byrne reported a complex disciplinary case in closed session and will provide DGO updates in November.
- Commissioner Yannis reported ongoing contact with department on assigned DGOs.
- Vice President Carter Oberstone noted the DGO 9.01 working group is in its final stretch.
- President Elias started the 90-day clock on DGO 5.08 (non-uniformed officers).
Surveillance Technology Update (Chapter 19B)
Aja Steves (Special Projects Manager) presented the approved non-city entity surveillance camera policy (STP/SIR), effective Nov. 5, 2022, with a 15-month sunset. The policy authorizes: (1) temporary live monitoring (max 24 hours, no recording, with captain approval); (2) requesting historical footage for criminal investigations; (3) requesting historical footage for internal investigations. Quarterly reports due June 1, 2023, will include census tract data. The department committed to training and forms before use. Discussion included concerns about racial disparities, data tracking, and community outreach. Commissioners requested the forms and training materials be presented before rollout. Public comment raised constitutional concerns and the need for warrants.
Safe Streets for All Quarterly Report
Commander Peter Walsh presented Vision Zero data. Year-to-date traffic fatalities: 24 (21 vision zero). Pedestrian deaths are the highest category. Focus on the five violations: speeding, red-light running, failure to yield, etc. Total traffic citations by district vary widely. Traffic enforcement staffing reduced from 45 officers in 5 squads (2019) to 22 officers in 4 squads (2022). Commissioners requested stop data (not just citations) for 2018-2019 and more granular data on education vs. enforcement. Discussion also covered scooter-related injuries and fatalities.
Reimagining Policy Development
Deanna Olivar Roche (Director of Policy and Public Affairs) presented internal recommendations to restructure policy development. Key changes: moving policy writing to the Chief of Staff's office, creating a Policy Development Unit, and establishing a Community and Policy Working Group Unit. Nine recommendations included transitioning policy writing oversight, redefining working groups, implementing a tier system, and a honeymoon phase for piloting policies. Hiring of professional policy writers and facilitators is underway, expected by end of November. Director Henderson (DPA) stressed the need to implement DGO 3.01 and ensure DPA access to subject matter experts. Chief Scott confirmed access but with oversight. Vice President Carter Oberstone asked for more concrete community outreach; the chief stated the new structure will increase community input for DGO revisions.
Approval of Department General Order 8.01
Commissioner Benedicto moved to approve revised DGO 8.01 (Major and Critical Incident Evaluation and Notifications) for meet and confer with the Police Officers Association. The DGO had not been updated since 1994. The motion passed unanimously (7-0). Credit was given to Jermaine Jones for his work on the policy.
Closed Session and Disclosure
The commission voted to hold Item 11 in closed session. After closed session, a motion to disclose discussion on Item 11A passed 6-1 (Commissioner Yi dissented). The disclosed item was a letter from the Police Officers Union regarding the duty to intercede language in DGO 5.01.
Key Outcomes
- Approved DGO 8.01 for meet and confer (unanimous).
- Voted to disclose closed session Item 11A (6-1), releasing the POA letter.
- Chief reported MOU with DA's office agreed; expects to present to commission by Oct. 19.
- Chief committed to agendize a report on youth detention trends and training on adolescent brain development.
- Data requests: Commissioners requested stop data (not just citations) for 2018-2019, and tracking of education vs. enforcement in traffic stops.
- Surveillance policy rollout: Department to present forms and training materials to commission before implementation.
- Policy Development restructuring: New staff to be hired and onboarded by end of November, with increased community working groups planned.
Meeting Transcript
Police Commission meeting. We have a full lineup today. So Sergeant, why don't you go ahead and get started with the Pledge of Allegiance? Right. If you can say and if you're able for the budget of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. President Lyons, if I may take roll. Please Commissioner Walker. Present. Mr. Walker is here. Commissioner Benedicto. Present. Commissioner Yannis. Present. Commissioner Byrne. Here. Commissioner Yi. Here. And Vice President Carter Oberstone. Present. President Alliance, we have a quorum also with us tonight. We have the Chief of Police, Bill Scott as well as Chief of Staff, Sarah Hawkins for the Department of Police Accountability. Thank you so much. Go ahead and call the first item, please. Line item one. Uh general public comment. At this time, the public is now welcome to address the commission for up to two minutes on items that do not appear on tonight's agenda but are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the police commission. Under police commission rules of order, during public comment, neither police or DPA personnel nor commissioners are required to respond to questions by the public, but may provide a brief response. Comments or opportunities to speak during the public comment period are available via phone by calling 415 65501 and entering access code 2483 9248313. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in either of the following ways. Email the Secretary of the Police Commission at SFPD.commission at sfgov.org or written state comments may be sent via U.S. Postal Service to the public safety building located at 1245 Third Street, San Francisco, California, 94158. If you would like to make public comment at this time, please press star three. Good evening, caller. You have two minutes. Hello, my name is David Aronson. I'm a resident of District One and I volunteer with wealth and disparities in the Black Community. The following is a quote by founder Felicia Jones. Addressing the injustices of black San Franciscans is urgent. I'm going to call this what it is anti-blackness in terms of use of force, arrests, and racial profiling or traffic steps by the SFPD. I've grown tired of talking to the police commission, to SFPD, and to the Board of Supervisors. Where is the urgency? If the tables were turned and these statistics represented white folks, I know there would be an urgency. Why are you going to take responsibility and address the harsh bias and unjust statistics? You took an oath to uphold the law for all San Franciscans. As I said, I am tired, but not tired enough to quit. Tired of beating against a dead horse and tired of our concerns falling on deaf ears. We reached out to new sources who find this anti-blackness an urgency, and therefore we sought help from Attorney General Bot. I've attended two of the three first DGO 9.0 working group sessions and have concerns about how the community input is being incorporated into the working group.
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