San Francisco Police Commission Meeting - September 4, 2024
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San Francisco Police Commission Meeting - September 4, 2024
The San Francisco Police Commission met on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 2:00 PM. The agenda included a memoriam for Officer Luciano Ortega, the Chief's report on crime trends and public safety, a presentation on the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) 2023 annual report, the Early Intervention System (EIS) Q1/Q2 2024 report, community engagement for the military equipment policy (AB 481), the drone program implementation, and the adoption of revised Department General Orders (DGOs). The commission unanimously approved consent calendar items, meeting minutes, and several DGOs. Public comment addressed unsolved homicides and support for the department.
Consent Calendar
- Received and filed the following reports: SFPD Second Quarter 2024 Audit of Electronic Communications, Semi-Annual Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Report, Safe Streets for All 2024 Second Quarter, Family Code 6228 Quarterly Report, Internal Affairs Quarterly Report (Q2 2024), DPA Document Protocol Report (Q2 2024), 2023 SFPD Department Awards certification, and SFPD/DPA 1421/SB16 monthly report. (Motion approved 7-0)
Public Comments & Testimony
- A mother of a murder victim (Arbor Casa, 2006) requested support for naming a street after her son and asked for help paying tipsters for unsolved homicides. She thanked Chief Scott for his attentiveness.
- A woman spoke in memory of Officer Luciano Ortega, offering condolences to his family.
- A speaker during general public comment praised Chief Scott's engagement with families of victims and asked about the reward system for unsolved homicides.
Discussion Items
In Memoriam: Officer Luciano Ortega
- Officer Mike Petuya presented a tribute to Officer Luciano Ortega (Star No. 2449), who passed away on July 28, 2024. Family members, including his wife Cynthia, brother, and parents, spoke about his service, kindness, and dedication. Commissioners expressed condolences and praised his impact on the community.
Chief's Report
- Chief Scott reported on a shooting on August 31, 2024, at Geary and Union Square involving a 17-year-old suspect and a victim (Mr. Pearsall), who has been released from the hospital. The suspect was arrested. Crime statistics year-to-date: overall crime down 33%, violent crime down 13%, property crime down 35%, homicides down 40% (23 vs. 38 last year), shootings down 28%, robberies down 22%, car break-ins down 56%. A fatal collision at the Cliff House was also reported. The department conducted retail blitz operations resulting in 61 arrests, and a partnership with DPH for substance abuse treatment was highlighted. Commissioners questioned the chief about background checks for rehired officers, a jaywalking stop incident, and a vehicle pursuit incident. The chief defended the department's strategies and noted that traffic enforcement has tripled.
DPA Director's Report
- Executive Director Henderson reported that DPA opened 80 cases and closed 89 since the last meeting. Year-to-date: 477 cases opened, 200 under investigation, 593 closed, 36 sustained, 12 mediated. 21 cases exceeded 270-day investigation period. High complaint categories: conduct unbecoming (16%) and use of force. He requested that consent calendar reports include case outcomes. He also noted ongoing audits and policy work.
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) 2023 Annual Report
- Sergeant Laura Colleen (Anderson) and Sergeant Elizabeth Prillinger presented. 72% of the department trained in the 4-day CIT course (78% of patrol). 100% trained in the 1-day course. The unit handled 33,734 mental health calls, with only 85 reportable use of force incidents (80% physical control holds). The unit currently has 3 members (down from 4); plans to add 2 more and eventually reach 8. A move to a centralized location at Park Station is planned. Commissioners praised the program and stressed the need for adequate staffing.
Early Intervention System (EIS) Q1/Q2 2024
- Sergeant Darren O'Fall presented. Indicator points dropped significantly: Q2 2024 had 467 points vs. 467 last year? (Note: transcript says 58.1% drop in Q2 use of force indicator compared to last year). Alerts generated: 204 in Q1, 114 in Q2, a 60.3% drop from Q2 2023. Two active interventions. A pilot program with Benchmark is underway at Tenderloin and Northern stations.
Community Engagement for AB 481 (Use of Equipment Policy)
- Dr. Diana Roche and Carl Nasida reported that the department held multiple community meetings at district stations (Ingleside, Mission, Park, etc.) to gather public input on the military equipment report. The 2023 annual report will be submitted to the Board of Supervisors on September 19, 2024. Future reports will follow a similar timeline, with at least one well-publicized meeting.
Drone Program Implementation
- Acting Captain Tom McGuire presented. Following Prop E, the department procured six drones, with 10 FAA-certified operators. Drones have been used in 65 flights, preventing approximately 5 vehicle pursuits and assisting in 18 arrests. Uses include auto burglaries, sexual assault suspect apprehension, and 4th of July disturbances. The department plans to acquire 20 more drones and aims for 24/7 coverage. A public website tracks deployments.
Revised Department General Orders (DGOs)
- The commission discussed and voted on several DGOs:
- DGO 2.07 (Discipline Process for Sworn Members): Introduces a 180-day timeline for chief's hearings and allows officers to submit a written response. Approved 6-0 for use in meeting and conferring.
- DGO 2.06 (Vehicle Crashes Involving Employees): Approved with 45-day implementation (6-0).
- DGO 5.01 (Use of Force Policy): Approved with 45-day implementation (6-0).
- DGO 5.04 (Arrests by Private Persons): Approved with 45-day implementation (6-0).
- DGO 5.06 (Citation Release): Approved with 45-day implementation (6-0).
Key Outcomes
- Approved consent calendar (7-0).
- Adopted meeting minutes for July 10 and July 17, 2024 (7-0).
- Approved DGO 2.07 for meeting and conferring (6-0, Vice President absent).
- Adopted DGO 2.06 with 45-day implementation (6-0).
- Adopted DGO 5.01 with 45-day implementation (6-0).
- Adopted DGO 5.04 with 45-day implementation (6-0).
- Adopted DGO 5.06 with 45-day implementation (6-0).
- Voted to hold closed session (6-0) and elected not to disclose closed session discussion (6-0).
Meeting Transcript
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. Thank you. President Lyas like to take role. Please. Commissioner Clay. Present. Commissioner Walker. Present. Commissioner Benedicto. Present. Commissioner Yanez. President Virgin Lee. Commissioner Yi. Here. Vice President Carter Oberstone is in route. President Lyus, you have a quorum also with us tonight. Our Chief Scott from the San Francisco Police Department and Executive Director Paul Henderson from the Department of Police Accountability. Thank you, Sergeant. Welcome back, everyone. Happy vacation, happy September. Happy Latino Heritage Month. We have a very packed agenda tonight, but we are going to chuck through it. So please be patient with us as we settle back in. So let's hear the first item. Line item one in memoriam. Officer Luciano Ortega, star number 2449, Mission Station. Good evening, President Elias, esteemed commissioners, Chief Scott, and Director Henderson. My name is Officer Mike Petuya, and I'm here tonight to present in honor of my dear friend, Officer Luciano Ortega, whose passing on July 28th, 2024 has left a deep and lasting void. We have gathered not only to mourn the loss of his life, but to celebrate his life, a life filled with passion, service, and joy. I had the pleasure of joining the San Francisco Police Department with Luciano on August 3rd, 2015, as a member of the 248th Recruit Academy class. He immediately became one of my closest friends and supporters, which continued as we moved through the department. From the moment Luciano stepped into the San Francisco Police Academy, he became everyone's favorite pesky little brother. He had an uncanny ability to make everyone around him feel like family, often lightening the mood with his humor and infectious energy. That was just who he was. Someone who could bring people together and remind us all why we do this job. Being a police officer was more than a career for Luciano. It was his lifelong dream. His parents, Glen Ortega, the retired motorcycle officer, and Jackie Selinger, a current SFPD lieutenant, tell fond stories of how Luciano grew up immersed in law enforcement. As a child, he would visit police stations, captivated by our specialized units, particularly the four boys and the horses. He would attend the annual police and fire games as a spectator and supporter of his family, soaking in the pride and camaraderie of the profession. It was clear from the start that this was where he belonged. As he got older, Luciano transitioned from watching those games to participating in them. He played with the SFPD baseball team, bringing the same passion and energy to the field that he brought to his work. He was also active in his rugby team, another outlet where his competitive spirit and team-oriented mindset shined. Whether on the field or on the streets of San Francisco, Luciano approached everything with dedication and a deep sense of commitment. Luciano served at Southern Park, Ingleside, and Mission Stations and the Community Engagement Division, serving with a sense of duty that extended beyond the badge. He embodied the San Francisco Police Department's motto, safety with respect. Every single day while on the job. While walking the footbeat in the mission, he connected with the community, offering water bottles to the homeless, taking time to talk to people, and making sure that everyone felt seen and heard.
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