San Francisco Police Commission Meeting – May 8, 2024

The San Francisco Police Commission held its regular meeting on May 8, 2024, at 1:45 PM. The meeting included recognition of Officer Andrew Young, public comment, reports from Police Chief Bill Scott and DPA Executive Director Paul Henderson, a joint presentation on the city’s Homicide Reward Program, approval of the commission’s Statement of Purpose, and the quarterly Sparks Report on policy updates. The commission also voted to enter closed session and subsequently elected not to disclose the discussion with limited exceptions.

Consent Calendar

• Received and filed: SFPD audit on electronic communication devices, Safe Streets for All 2024 first quarter report, Family Code 6228 incident report, and SB 1421 reports from DPA and SFPD. Motion approved unanimously (5-0).
• Adopted minutes from April 17, 2024, meeting unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• A speaker questioned the mayor’s actions regarding 49 nurses and scooters on sidewalks, urging enforcement.
• A speaker advocated for an elected police chief, arguing the current appointment system leads to a broken department.
• A speaker alleged that elected officials illegally gave credentials to public health systems, requesting referrals for indictments.
• Jake Connor B. Ortega criticized Commissioner Benedicto’s previous statements, asserting that voters passed Proposition E because the commission “failed to put policy over politics” and warned that further propositions would strip commission power.
• A mother (Ms. Brown) whose son was murdered in 2006 repeatedly urged the commission to take action on unsolved homicides, referencing the upcoming presentation on the Homicide Reward Program.
• During the chief’s report public comment, a speaker criticized the Mission station’s captains and alleged that a planned “hill bomb” event was used to arrest minority youth, calling for an elected chief.
• During the Homicide Reward Program public comment, Ms. Brown stated the presentation contained the same information as 2022 and demanded action, noting zero rewards had been paid in a decade.

Discussion Items

Officer Recognition – Officer Andrew Young

• Sergeant Huang presented Officer Andrew Young of the Healthy Streets Operations Center (HSOC) for his exceptional work with vulnerable populations. Officer Young received the Police Commission Recognition Award. All commissioners praised his teamwork and compassion.

Chief’s Report – Crime Trends and Major Incidents

• Chief Bill Scott reported overall part one crime down 30% year-to-date, property crime down 33%, violent crime down 13%, homicides down 42% (11 vs. 19), and shooting victims down 35%. Gun seizures slightly decreased to 308 (59 ghost guns).
• Significant incidents included a homicide on April 29 in Bayview, a stabbing on May 5 at 7th and Market, an elder abuse battery on May 1, a carjacking at San Francisco State, and a hate incident at Sunset and Ulloa.
• A pursuit on May 7 for a felony hit-and-run resulted in a 14-year-old girl being struck near Francisco Middle School; the pursuit was canceled after the injury, and the suspect was later arrested.
• Vice President Carter Overstone questioned the pursuit, noting the prior policy may not have authorized it. He pressed on the department’s high collision rate and lack of progress on Star Chase technology. Chief Scott stated Star Chase has a placeholder in the budget but research continues; he does not agree with unlimited time for DGOs.
• Commissioner Yi asked about Muni response times; Chief Scott said calls are high priority but response times vary.
• Commissioner Yañez inquired about language access data discrepancy; Chief Scott said it may be due to record-keeping and a previous coordinator on medical leave.

DPA Director’s Report

• Paul Henderson reported on audit awards, participation in a conference, and upcoming audits on stop data. DPA is uploading datasets to DataSF for transparency. 119 sustained cases are pending with the chief, 13 with the commission.

Commission Reports

• Commissioner Benedicto described a demonstration of the “Bola Wrap” restraint device and collaboration with SFMTA on stolen vehicle recovery, resulting in over 200 recoveries.
• Commissioner Yi reported attending a sexual assault awareness event and a quarterly police awards ceremony.
• Commissioner Yañez reported progress on the pre-booking diversion program (expected by end of 2024) and the investigative social media DGO.

Homicide Reward Program (Item 8)

• Captain Noah Malinger and Lieutenant Sanders presented the current reward program: rewards up to $10,000 or more, paid only after exhaustion of leads and conviction, with only seven rewards paid since 2001 (last in 2013). A revamped website now lists 176 cases.
• Jermaine Jones (DPA) compared other jurisdictions: government-run programs in LA County, Philadelphia, and DC, and third-party programs like Crime Stoppers used in NYC, LA, and San Diego. San Francisco has the highest reward amounts but strict requirements (conviction, no anonymous tips).
• Vice President Carter Overstone asked about relaxing restrictions; Lieutenant Sanders had no personal concerns but noted the rules were set by the Board of Supervisors. Chief Scott highlighted the challenge of witness fear of retaliation.
• Public comment: Ms. Brown reiterated that no money has been paid out and the presentation repeated past information; she demanded action.

Statement of Purpose (Item 9)

• Paul Allen presented a draft Statement of Purpose outlining the commission’s jurisdiction, purpose, and goals organized around public safety, professionalism, accountability, and transparency.
• Vice President Carter Overstone praised the collaborative effort.
• Motion to adopt passed 4-1 (Commissioner Yi voted no).

Sparks Report (Item 10)

• Aja Steves (SFPD) provided policy updates: DGOs 207, 513, 610, 1011 in progress. The 2024 working group list needs commission approval (slated for June). Three working groups proposed.
• Jermaine Jones (DPA) reported on the crowd control working group and the social media DGO.
• Vice President Carter Overstone questioned the “non-designated timeline” interpretation that allows DGOs to sit after concurrence without extension requests. Chief Scott stated he does not agree with unlimited time for DGOs.
• Commissioner Yañez expressed concern that the social media DGO (209) had been postponed to 2025 without her input; Chief Scott promised a date by Friday.
• The report was presented for discussion; no formal action taken.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar and minutes approved unanimously.
• Statement of Purpose adopted (4-1) and to be forwarded to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors.
• The commission voted unanimously to go into closed session (Item 13) and then voted (4-0, with Commissioner Yañez absent) not to disclose the session except for non-privileged factual details to be included in minutes.
• The Homicide Reward Program presentation was informational; no immediate action taken, but follow-up reports requested.
• Chief Scott agreed to provide a timeline for DGO 106/107 and for advancing the social media DGO (209) by Friday.
• The commission acknowledged the need to revise DGO 301 to clarify post-concurrence timelines.