San Francisco Police Commission Meeting – March 1, 2023

The San Francisco Police Commission met on March 1, 2023, at 1:45 PM UTC. The meeting covered routine consent items, reports from the Chief and the Department of Police Accountability (DPA), commissioner updates, a demonstration of a new public comment portal for department general orders, and closed session litigation matters. Public comment included a heartfelt plea regarding unsolved homicides.

Consent Calendar

• The commission unanimously received and filed the SFPD Firearm Discharge Review Board and In-Custody Death Report for the fourth quarter of 2022 (motion by Commissioner Walker, seconded, passed 5-0).
• The minutes of February 1, 8, and 15, 2023, were initially adopted unanimously (5-0). Later, Vice President Carter Oberstone moved to rescind approval of the February 15 minutes to add omitted factual details (date of upcoming negotiations with affected bargaining units), keeping February 1 and 8 minutes approved. The motion passed 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A parent of a murder victim (Aubrey Apercassa, killed August 14, 2006) spoke passionately about the unsolved case, naming alleged perpetrators. She requested more resources for unsolved homicides and asked for a reward program similar to the Special Olympics fundraiser. Commissioner Yanez responded, noting the commission had agendized the issue and planned to task a policy staffer to research best practices for rewards.
• No other public comments were made on agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Chief’s Report (Assistant Chief David Lazar):
  • Year-to-date homicide clearance rate is 100%; no homicides in the past week. Sexual assaults down 43% (46 to 26), aggravated assaults stable, gun violence down 4%. Two recent shootings (McLaren Park and Ferry Building) resulted in one arrest; a hate crime near headquarters and a fentanyl seller arrest in the Tenderloin were highlighted. A cannabis dispensary kidnapping/robbery in the Bayview was reported. Burglaries down 8%, auto thefts up 19%, overall theft down 16%. Stunt driving incidents were dispersed with CHP assistance. Community engagement included a Coffee with a Cop event on Capp Street and the upcoming Polar Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics. Assistant Chief Lazar commendation for officers who de-escalated an armed suspect using time-and-distance tactics, avoiding an officer-involved shooting.
• DPA Director’s Report (Paul Henderson):
  • 265 pending cases; 26 investigations beyond 9 months; 88 cases awaiting chief’s hearing (28 more than two years old). Top allegations this week: failure to take required action (17% of allegations). Tenderloin and Mission districts had the most allegations. DPA hosted the California Coalition of Oversight Agencies (CCOA) state conference, featuring a CMCR training collaboration with SFPD. Upcoming outreach: Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association presentation (March 6). Audit on electronic monitoring of communications draft nearing release. Henderson expressed concern about a “disturbing uptick” in SFPD’s denial of DPA requests for information in officer-involved shooting and serious cases, despite ongoing conversations with the chief. Commissioner Benedicto requested updates if not resolved.
• Commission Reports:
  • Commissioner Benedicto: Attended Black History Month brunch with SFPD and SF Safe; joined Commissioner Walker at an IA/DPA training for night shift officers; progress on DGO 7.01 (juveniles) and DGO 10.11 (body cameras) working groups.
  • Commissioner Yanez: Updates on juvenile diversion efforts, including conversations with ARC and Sentinella (LA pre-booking program); joint commission meeting with probation on April 12; requested agendizing discussion on city settlements related to use of force.
  • Commissioner Yi: Praised the Black History Month brunch as a community-building event.
  • Commissioner Walker: DGO 6.1 (missing persons) update underway; met with technology staff on automating body camera data management; engaged with community on mental health response; continuing assessment of patrol specials with city attorney involvement.
• SFPD Demonstration of 30-Day Public Comment Portal:
  • Andrew Bly (civilian, Technology Division) demonstrated a new system for collecting and responding to public comments on draft Department General Orders (DGOs). The system includes a public-facing webpage for submitting comments, an internal process for SFPD and DPA to jointly respond, and public release of comments and responses after 30 days. Commissioner Benedicto asked whether commissioners would have access to comments during the comment period; Captain Toomer confirmed access is only after the 30-day period ends, as per DGO 3.01.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved as described.
• Minutes: February 1 and 8 minutes retained; February 15 minutes rescinded for revision (6-0).
• Closed Session: The commission voted 6-0 to hold Item 10 in closed session (existing litigation and personnel matters) and to assert attorney-client privilege for Items 10a and 10b. After closed session, the commission voted 6-0 not to disclose any discussion and to maintain attorney-client privilege.
• Next Steps: Commissioners will continue monitoring DPA request denials; policy staffer to research unsolved homicide rewards; DGO updates (juveniles, body cameras, missing persons) to continue in working groups; joint meeting with probation on juvenile diversion scheduled for April 12.