San Francisco Police Commission Meeting – July 10, 2024

The San Francisco Police Commission held a regular meeting on July 10, 2024, beginning at 1:45 PM. The meeting included officer recognition, public comment, reports from the Chief and DPA Director, a presentation on a proposed movable community service facility (Peacelets), and several votes on revised Department General Orders (DGOs) to implement Proposition E, which was passed by voters earlier in the year. The Commission also considered resolutions to accept a grant and an in-kind gift. Most actions were approved unanimously, with one item continued to the next meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Received and filed the Police Commission report of disciplinary actions for the second quarter of 2024.
• Approved acceptance of a grant from the San Francisco Police Foundation for Blue and Blue debriefing training valued at $1,180.
• Approved acceptance of a grant from the San Francisco Police Foundation for the Mothers, Fathers, and Families Impacted by Homicide March valued at $5,480.
• Approved acceptance of a grant from the San Francisco Police Foundation for SFPD’s National Night Out event valued at $20,000 ($2,000 per district station).
• Approved acceptance of a grant from the San Francisco Police Foundation for neighborhood safety team uniforms valued at $494.44.
• Approved acceptance of a donation from the San Francisco Police Credit Union for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics valued at $350.
• Received and filed the SB 1421 and SB 16 monthly reports for June 30, 2024, and July 3, 2024.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A member of the public advocated for foot patrols and police kiosks (cobans) and called for electing a police chief with those platforms.
• A speaker urged the public to deposit banana peels on Waymo vehicles as a protest, stating the police would do nothing (position: opposition to Waymo vehicles).
• A deaf individual described a 911 call experience where the officer ignored her because of her deafness, stated that officers in three precincts did not know how to use communication devices, and felt the police department was scamming federal grant money. They asked to speak with DPA privately.
• A speaker demanded the arrest of London Breed and Melissa Bryant, alleging surveillance, fraud, and murder, and urged the Commission to contact the District Attorney (position: urging action against city officials).
• A speaker thanked Officer Watson for his service and congratulated Commissioner Walker on reappointment.
• A mother of a homicide victim (son murdered in 2022) requested media coverage for unsolved cases and a street naming in his honor.
• Comment on the Chief’s report: A speaker praised the community meeting for the Hill Bomb and criticized Raphael Mandelman for pulling permits that caused friction.
• Another speaker clarified the number of Waymo tire slashings (20) and asked for it to be noted.

Presentation by 3rd Street Youth Center & Clinic (SF Next) on “Peacelets”

• Richard Corriea (retired SFPD commander) and Sorcia Riley McLaughlin presented the Peacelets concept: staffed, movable parklet-like structures staffed by police officers and service providers, managed by neighborhood collaboratives (Peace Partners Collaborative). The goal is to activate neighborhoods, reduce disorder, and connect residents with services. The proposal is novel and not modeled after existing U.S. programs. Commissioners expressed strong interest, noting the concept aligns with community policing and could be tailored to each neighborhood. Commissioner Yee was especially supportive for Chinatown. The Commission asked the Chief to assign a liaison and invited the presenters back in six months to report progress.

Chief’s Report

• Chief Scott reported crime trends: Part one crime down 32% overall; property crimes down 34% (approximately 9,000 fewer incidents); violent crimes down 11% (over 300 fewer). Homicides down 39% compared to 2023 (18 year-to-date vs. 28 last year). Shootings down nearly 40%; 71 firearm incidents resulting in 80 victims year-to-date. Firearm seizures up slightly (622 vs. 536), but ghost gun seizures down (74 vs. 117). Car break-ins down 54%. Several specific shooting incidents were described, with arrests in some cases. The Hill Bomb event on July 6 was successful with no violence, no arrests, and only two skateboarder injuries. Pride events and July 4th were peaceful. Updated on Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs): 120 deployed so far, with 400 expected by end of year; arrests have been made. Staffing for Hill Bomb: approximately 60 officers (six squads plus tactical unit), mostly overtime.
• Commissioners asked about the decrease in property crime (attributed to arrests of prolific crews and retail theft operations), staffing for Hill Bomb, and Fourth of July operations. Concerns were raised about ALPR data retention and Fourth Amendment issues; Chief stated data used only for criminal investigations without a warrant and within retention period.

DPA Director’s Report

• Director Henderson reported that the DPA investigation unit opened 73 new cases and closed 85 since last meeting; cases past 270 days reduced to just one (the lowest ever). Audit team working on stop data audit; field work testing expected to complete by July. Peer review by Association of Local Government Auditors scheduled for end of July. DPA participated in several outreach events. Reviewed draft DGO 6.10 on missing persons. No closed session matters.

Commission Reports

• Commissioner Benedicto: Pleased with Hill Bomb outcome; attended DPA summer speaker series; mentioned quarterly audit liaison meeting; reserved comments on DGOs for later.
• Commissioner Walker: Thanked department for community meeting ahead of Hill Bomb; working on pilot program for private camera infrastructure; praised Pride event.
• Commissioner Yee: Reported a Chinatown town hall with Chief, DA, and Mayor; testing instant Chinese translation; residents feel safer.

Discussion and Votes on Department General Orders (DGOs) for Proposition E Implementation

• Item 12 – DGO 5.01 (Use of Force Policy): Approved unanimously (6-0) with an amendment to add type three uses of force (complaints of pain without injury) to the exception requiring documentation on body-worn camera or CAD. The DGO will now go to meet and confer with bargaining units. Commissioners emphasized that the revisions strictly implement Prop E while preserving transparency.
• Item 14 – DGO 5.04 (Arrests by Private Persons): Approved unanimously (6-0). DPA Director requested requiring signature of the arresting private person instead of allowing a verbal affirmative on BWC, but the Chief argued BWC documentation is sufficient and more efficient. The motion passed without the change.
• Item 15 – DGO 5.05 (Emergency Response and Pursuit Driving): Continued to the next meeting (July 17, 2024) after Commissioner Carter-Oberstone proposed an amendment to require reporting of the number of apprehensions resulting from pursuits in the annual report. The Chief and some commissioners argued for sticking to Prop E language, but others supported the amendment as best practice. The City Attorney will provide an opinion on the amendment, and the item will be reconsidered with public notice.
• Item 16 – DGO 5.06 (Citation Release): Approved unanimously (6-0).

Closed Session

• The Commission voted unanimously to hold a closed session (Item 20) for discussion of personnel or legal matters. After returning to open session, they voted not to disclose any discussion held in closed session.

Key Outcomes

• Approved retroactive acceptance of an in-kind gift of 1,800 units of naloxone valued at $81,300 (unanimous).
• Approved retroactive acceptance of a $72,275 grant from Cal OES for the forensic lab (unanimous).
• Approved DGOs 5.01 (with amendment), 5.04, and 5.06 to go to meet and confer (all unanimous, with labor relations resolution invoked for 5.01).
• Continued DGO 5.05 to July 17 meeting for further discussion of the apprehensions reporting amendment.
• The presentation on Peacelets was well received; the Commission agreed to revisit the proposal in six months.
• Closed session held; no disclosure of discussion.