San Francisco Police Commission Meeting - November 6, 2024

The San Francisco Police Commission met on November 6, 2024, at 1:45 PM. Vice President Carter Oberstone presided with Commissioners Clay, Benedicto, Yanyez, and Yi present (Commissioners Walker and Elias excused). Chief William Scott provided a crime trends update, the Department of Police Accountability (DPA) reported on case activity, and commissioners discussed several policy matters, including the removal of Department General Order (DGO) 10.11 from the agenda and a dispute with the Police Officers Association (POA) over social media posts.

Consent Calendar

• The commission approved, by a 5‑0 vote, a consent item to receive and file complimentary registration fees for the 2024 Benchmark Analytics User Summit valued at $22,750. Commissioner Yi asked about ethical obligations for employees accepting the fees; Deputy City Attorney Alice Gabora confirmed the arrangement complies with local rules.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A speaker urged the commission to emphasize self‑control for police officers, stating that technology such as drones lacks self‑control.
• A mother of a murder victim spoke about unsolved homicides in San Francisco and pleaded with the incoming mayor to retain Chief Scott. She called for more tipster incentives and asked anyone with information about her son’s case to call the anonymous tip line at 415‑575‑4444.

Officer Recognition

• Officer Megan Sinclair (Star #863) of Park Station was presented with the Weekly Officer Recognition Certificate for her calm, proactive work, including identifying a road‑rage suspect via ALPR and arresting a serial burglar. She was also announced as Park Station’s 2024 Co‑Officer of the Year.

Chief’s Report

• Chief Scott reported overall Part I crimes are down 32% year‑to‑date (13,653 fewer incidents). Violent crimes fell 14%, property crimes 33%. Homicides decreased from 47 to 30 (a 36% decline), with an 86% clearance rate. Vehicle break‑ins dropped 56%. Gun seizures rose to 933 (from 920), but ghost gun seizures declined to 92 (from 172). Three recent homicides were detailed; suspects were arrested in two cases, and one investigation is ongoing. Two non‑fatal shootings occurred. Retail theft operations led to 30 arrests, including at a Lululemon burglary. An attempted burglary at Louis Vuitton was thwarted.
• Commissioner Clay asked about the impact of Proposition 36 on booking practices for retail theft. Chief Scott said the department is consulting with the District Attorney’s office and will focus on prolific offenders with prior convictions.
• Commissioner Yi asked whether the department would seek receipts from SF Safe (related to a prior $5.3 million contract) or waive attorney‑client privilege on drone purchases. Chief Scott replied there are no plans to sue for receipts while a criminal case is ongoing and declined to waive privilege.

DPA Director’s Report

• Acting DPA Director Diana Rosenstein reported that since the last meeting, the office opened 50 new cases and closed 46. Year‑to‑date, 625 cases have been opened (vs. 703 at the same time last year); 216 cases are under investigation, and 725 have been closed (vs. 642). There are 120 sustained cases pending with the Chief and 8 with the Commission. The most complaints this week came from Southern Station.

Commission Reports

• DGO 7.01 Update (Commissioner Yanyez): Chief Scott reported that legal review of community feedback is nearly complete, but disagreements remain on some legal interpretations; further consultation with the City Attorney is needed.
• Statement on POA Social Media Post (Commissioner Yanyez): Commissioner Yanyez accused the POA of posting a video showing his home address and falsely claiming he and his wife obstructed a police investigation. Chief Scott confirmed there is no investigation of Commissioner Yanyez for obstruction, though a separate, open investigation exists (not targeting Yanyez). Yanyez called the post defamatory and doxxing.
• POA Litigation (Commissioner Benedicto): The POA filed litigation regarding DGO 9.07 (traffic stops). Benedicto requested a privileged briefing for commissioners once the city is served.
• Station District Boundaries (Commissioner Benedicto): Update on the steering committee’s map recommendations, which have gone to the Chief and will be presented to the Commission later this year or early next.
• Election and Commitment (Commissioner Benedicto): Acknowledged the day after a consequential election, reaffirming the commission’s dedication to evidence‑based, accountable policing regardless of political changes.
• Medal of Valor Ceremony (Commissioner Yi): Yi noted that several commissioners attended the ceremony and thanked the Chief.
• DGO 10.11 (Commissioner Yi): Yi explained that the item was removed from the agenda because the working group spreadsheet was not publicly posted per 3.01. He expressed concern that some unanimous recommendations from the working group, including those from law enforcement subject matter experts, were not incorporated. He commended Chief Scott for requiring all members, including command staff, to wear body‑worn cameras.
• Caution on Investigations (Commissioner Clay): Clay warned that commissioners should be careful when discussing investigations, as federal inquiries may exist beyond the department’s knowledge.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved 5‑0.
• Minutes for October 2, 9, and 16 approved 5‑0.
• DGO 10.11 was removed from the agenda due to a procedural posting issue; it will be brought back at a future meeting.
• Closed Session was held (Item 11) after a vote to proceed. The commission then voted not to disclose any discussion from closed session.
• Chief Scott confirmed Commissioner Yanyez is not under investigation for obstruction; the POA’s social media claim was false.
• The commission directed staff to continue work on DGO 7.01 and to schedule a privileged briefing on the POA litigation.