Police Commission Meeting on Juvenile Diversion, Crime Statistics, and Policy Revisions - May 10, 2023
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San Francisco Police Commission Meeting - May 10, 2023
The San Francisco Police Commission convened on May 10, 2023 to address juvenile diversion initiatives, crime trends, the Early Intervention System (EIS), the Collaborative Reform Initiative (CRI), and revisions to Department General Order (DGO) 2.01. The meeting opened with the recognition of Officer Yuka Nagamine and featured significant public comment.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Michael Betrellis objected to the meeting beginning with officer recognition, stating that unsolved cases should take priority. He also criticized the commission for eliminating remote public comment, forcing the public to appear in person.
- Mattie Brown, mother of Arbre Abercassa (murdered in 2006), pleaded for the resolution of her son's unsolved case and urged the hiring of investigators to solve cold cases.
- A third speaker referenced an unspecified personal ordeal involving a crime, questioning its ethical handling and impact.
- During the juvenile diversion discussion, multiple speakers supported the concept but emphasized the need to include youth voices and families. Don Stickle (Sunset Youth Services) noted that all necessary community resources exist but require appetite from SFPD and the District Attorney. Molly Brown (Juvenile Justice Providers Association) echoed that San Francisco has robust services ready to be leveraged for pre-arrest diversion. Dan Macallair (Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice) stated that implementation only requires a decision and action from the city. Hilary, director of CARC, added that the agency has run post-arrest diversion for 20 years and is now working on a pre-arrest model to avoid trauma to youth.
Discussion Items
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Weekly Officer Recognition – Captain Derek Jackson honored Officer Yuka Nagamine for her exemplary service including work in Japantown and her role in solving a homicide. Commissioners commended her community policing and bilingual skills. Public commenters criticized the practice of beginning meetings with praise for police.
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Juvenile Diversion Best Practices – The commission heard presentations from David Mohammed (National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform) on Oakland's Neighborhood Opportunity and Accountability Board and Jessica Ellis (Centinela Youth Services) on Los Angeles's pre-booking diversion model. Both emphasized that early diversion reduces recidivism and trauma. Chief Scott expressed support, stating all necessary ingredients are in place. Gabe Calvillo (Juvenile Probation) confirmed active discussions. Commissioner Benedicto noted ongoing efforts over two years. The commission committed to a follow-up in two months.
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Chief’s Report – Chief Scott reported a 7% overall reduction in Part I serious crimes (1,300 fewer than prior year) but a 27% increase in homicides (19 total, 13 firearm-related). Shootings were down 8%. Specific incidents included the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old on Eddy Street (May 4), a stabbing homicide with an arrest, and a shooting on a Muni bus (May 5) with no arrest. Nine bank robberies were solved with an arrest. The chief updated on stun driving enforcement (three vehicle seizures) and the Banco Brown Walgreens shooting, stating the investigation remains open and video will not be released until closed. Commissioner Walker expressed concern about transparency and the proposed MOU with the DA on video release. The chief clarified that video release would occur after case closure.
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DPA Director’s Report – Acting Director Sarah Hawkins noted cases pending beyond 270 days decreased from 34 to 26 (20 stayed). DPA received 14 new complaints; top allegations were failure to investigate (19%) and inappropriate behavior (11%). A key issue report on officer discipline was issued, and DPA won an award for audit work.
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Commission Reports – Brief updates from commissioners; no action taken.
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Early Intervention System (EIS) – Commander Paul Yep and Sergeant Darwin Naval presented Q3 and Q4 2022 data. Alerts decreased 19.6% from Q3 (864) to Q4 (695), mostly due to use-of-force policy changes. One new intervention was opened. Transition to Benchmark Analytics continues with technical issues; go-live expected Q4 2023.
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Collaborative Reform Initiative (CRI) – 245 of 272 recommendations are in substantial compliance; 27 remain. Work is organized into five project plans covering use-of-force data, demographic capture, community policing, bias-free policing, and internal discipline. Phase three is on schedule for completion by April 2024.
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Revision of DGO 2.01 (General Rules of Conduct) – The commission debated amendments. Changes included adding the phrase "or impaired by" to align with other DGOs and striking a redundant sentence on insubordination. Commissioner Benedicto moved to approve the revised order for use in meet-and-confer negotiations. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
Key Outcomes
- Approved amended DGO 2.01 for negotiation with bargaining units (7-0).
- Juvenile diversion program development to continue; progress update requested in two months.
- Chief Scott will provide updates on the Banco Brown investigation as appropriate.
- EIS transition to Benchmark continues; target go-live Q4 2023.
- CRI remains on track for April 2024 completion.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Commissioner Walker. Commissioner Benedicto. Here. Commissioner Yannez. President. Commissioner Byrne. Here. Commissioner Yi. Here. Vice President Carter Overstone is in route. President Lyons, you have a quorum also with us tonight. We have Chief Scott from the San Francisco Police Department and Chief of Staff Sarah Walker for the Department of Police Accountability. Hello, everyone. Welcome to the May 10th police commission meeting. So what I would like to do is take a few things out of order. We're going to start with item number one, and then I'm going to take our item number six out of order after number two. All right, Sergeant, go ahead. Objection. Sir, I said after item two, which is public comment. So yes, I will. I'm asking if you will take public comment. I already answered you. Sergeant. Next. Line item one weekly officer recognition certificate presentation. Presentation of an officer who has gone above and beyond in the performance of their duties. Officer Yuka Nagamene, star number 964, Northern Station. Good evening, uh Chief Scott, members of the police commission. My name is Captain Derek Jackson. I'm the commanding officer of Northern Police Station. It is my pleasure tonight to introduce you to Officer Yuka Nagamini, star number 964. Officer Nagamini joined San Francisco PD on May 27, 2014. She has been assigned to the Northern Police Station since May of 2015. Officer Nagamini currently works the swing shift, which is one of the busiest ships, not only in Northern District, but within San Francisco. Officer Nagamini shows up to work every day with a smile on her face. She works hard. She is an exemplary partner to work with and a wonderful role model to her peers. During her years at Northern Station, Officer Nagamine has worked the footbeat at Japan town, where she's made many friends with our Japanese community and the Japan town merchants. Officer Nagamine puts many within the Japanese community at ease by speaking with them in Japanese. Not only does Officer Nagamini work closely with the Japan town merchants on the days that she works, but does not hesitate to work closely with them on her off days as well. Officer Nagamine is a great asset not only to the Northern Station, but also to the Japan town merchants and community. Most recently, Officer Nagamini from Northern Station responded to Japan Town regarding a shooting which turned into a homicide of a security agent who worked at the Japan town center. Officer Nagamini was one of the primary officers on scene and did not hesitate to take charge. Officer Nagamini used her resources to gain immediate immediate access to the center's exterior cameras. With Officer Nagamine's support, great evidence was recovered where it was used to eventually lead and help in the arrest of a suspect who was responsible for the agent's death. For the above mentioned reasons and many more, Officer Nagamine should be recognized for her outstanding work. Hello. Hi. Thank you. Thank you.
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