San Francisco Police Commission Meeting – September 18, 2024

The San Francisco Police Commission convened on September 18, 2024, to receive reports from the Chief of Police and the Department of Police Accountability (DPA), hear public comments, approve revised department general orders, and discuss protest strategies and an intern project. The meeting included votes on two revised policies and closed session.

Consent Calendar

• Second Quarter 2024 Live Monitoring Report: Received and filed by a unanimous vote (6–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment: One speaker criticized government incompetence and urged the commission to improve performance.
• Unsolved Homicide Plea: Paulette Brown, mother of Aubrey Abracassa Jr. (murdered in 2006), requested the commission help solve unsolved homicides and noted that no reward money had been paid out in a decade. She also highlighted that the Board of Supervisors had approved renaming a street in her son's honor.

Chief’s Report (Discussion)

• Chief Bill Scott reported crime statistics: year-to-date part one crimes down 32%, property crime down 34%, violent crime down 14%, and homicides down 37% (24 vs. 38 last year). No homicides were reported that week; one non-fatal shooting occurred.
• Significant arrests included a coordinated takedown of an organized retail theft crew (estimated losses exceeding $100,000), an auto burglary suppression operation resulting in multiple arrests and firearm recovery, and a multi-agency gambling bust on the 200 block of Leavenworth Street that seized illegal machines, narcotics, and firearms, with eight adult males arrested.
• The Chief addressed drone procurement: he stated the department complied with state law (AB 41) and that the Board of Supervisors approved the drone policy 9–2. Commissioner Elias requested a future agenda item to clarify the timeline and legal basis.
• Commissioner Benedicto raised questions about “clean records agreements” that may conceal officer disciplinary history; the Chief said SFPD has not encountered such issues but agreed to discuss further.
• Commissioner Benedicto also inquired about the release of video from a previous officer-involved shooting (hot dog vendor incident); the Chief noted it would be delayed due to another officer-involved shooting but expected release by October.
• Vice President Carver-Oberstone asked about the rehiring of retired personnel for background checks; the Chief explained that each case is reviewed individually, honorable separation does not guarantee rehire, and the department considers fit and any red flags.

DPA Director’s Report (Discussion)

• Executive Director Paul Henderson reported 510 open cases, with 17 investigations exceeding nine months (16 of which are on hold). DPA conducted outreach at John O’Connell High School and is awaiting the stop data audit from the controller’s office. The policy division has begun work on DGO 6.16 (sexual assault) with a working group that includes Commissioner Benedicto.

Commission Reports

• Commissioners requested several items be agendized: (1) drone authorization and compliance with AB 481, (2) status of SF Safe services (cameras and community engagement) absorption by SFPD, and (3) a presentation on clean records agreements and their impact on lateral hires.
• Commissioner Benedicto attended the first working group meeting for DGO 6.16 and shared that Chief Scott, Director Henderson, and he attended an event for the First Responder Children’s Foundation, which provides free mental health support and scholarships.

Presentation and Discussion on SFPD’s Strategies for Protests Relating to Israel and Palestine

• Lt. Will McCarthy and Lt. Quock Doe presented on mutual aid requests related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Between April 29 and July 18, 2024, SFPD responded to eight requests (four in San Francisco, three out-of-county via California Governor's Office of Emergency Services).
• In-city deployments included SF State, UCSF Parnassus, USF, and UCSF Mission Bay. No use of force, no incident reports, and no injuries occurred; one officer was spat on at UC Santa Cruz.
• Out-of-county deployments to Cal Poly Humboldt, UC Santa Cruz, and UC Berkeley involved providing uniformed presence and support. SFPD officers did not make arrests or use force; cost recovery was sought through Cal OES for the out-of-county requests.
• Commissioners asked about cost recovery, personnel decisions, and whether SFPD officers were involved in arrests or testimony (none were). The Chief clarified that pre-planned events may be negotiated for reimbursement, while mutual aid requests through the regional coordinator are typically reimbursable.

Presentation on DPA’s Law and Justice Reform Internship Summer Project, 2024 Cohort

• Tanetta Thompson (Director of Recruitment and Racial Equity) and interns presented proposed reforms to DGO 6.16 on sexual assault investigations. The cohort—diverse, with 71% women and half from HBCUs—recommended mandatory survivor follow-up interviews, survivor options for transportation (front of patrol car to avoid feeling like a defendant), and mandatory date rape drug testing. These proposals were drawn from best practices in other California agencies and aim to reduce bias and improve victim support.
• Executive Director Henderson and commissioners praised the program; Commissioner Benedicto suggested sharing the presentation with the ongoing DGO 6.16 working group and the Office of Victims and Witness Rights.

Discussion and Possible Action: Revised DGO 5.03, “Investigative Detentions”

• The commission approved the revised order (6–1, Vice President Carver-Oberstone dissenting) after a presentation on training plans, which include department notices, use of body-worn camera scripted statements, and future AI transcription. Training implementation period set at 45 days.

Discussion and Possible Action: Revised DGO 5.05, “Emergency Response and Pursuit Driving”

• The commission approved the revised order unanimously (7–0). Training plans include a video explaining violent misdemeanor definitions, roll-call training, and ongoing instruction on tire deflation devices and vehicle containment tactics. Implementation period set at 45 days.

Key Outcomes

• DGO 5.03 adopted (6–1), with 45-day training rollout.
• DGO 5.05 adopted (7–0), with 45-day training rollout.
• Future agenda items set: drone program authorization, status of SF Safe services, and clean records agreements.
• Closed session held; commission voted not to disclose discussions.
• Public comment on unsolved homicides acknowledged with an invitation for information to the tip line.