San Leandro Community Police Review Board Meeting - December 22, 2025
San Leandro Community Police Review Board Meeting - December 22, 2025
The Community Police Review Board (CPRB) met on December 22, 2025, to discuss police department updates, the Independent Police Auditor's (IPA) monthly and annual reports, and community concerns. The meeting began with announcements including the resignation of board member Peter Franco and a statement from the Chair on the dismissal of criminal charges against former officer Jason Fletcher in the Stephen Taylor case. The board approved minutes from November 19, 2025, and received reports from the police department and IPA.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the November 19, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously (5-0, with two absences).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Douglas (community member): Announced the opening of the Stephen Taylor Sanctuary of Life Park on January 24, 2026, at 10 a.m., and invited the community to attend. He also noted the dismissal of charges against former officer Jason Fletcher and anticipated a wrongful death lawsuit.
- Dr. Evans (community member): Raised concerns about police response to homeless encampments, property security, and the lack of accountability for incidents at the John George Pavilion (a state psychiatric hospital). She questioned how the police department handles false reports and property crimes.
Discussion Items
- Resignation of Board Member Peter Franco: Chair read Franco's resignation letter, effective January 1, 2026, citing increasing job demands. Franco expressed support for the CPRB's mission. The board thanked him for his service.
- Chair's Statement on Stephen Taylor Case: The Chair read a personal statement noting the dismissal of all criminal charges against former officer Jason Fletcher. He emphasized that the police union's characterization as "vindication" was incorrect, and called for the police to acknowledge the loss, reaffirm commitment to de-escalation policies, and celebrate positive legacies such as the CPRB, Alternative Response Unit, and the Navigation Center.
- Police Department Report: Chief provided updates: three recruits graduating from the academy, four starting in January, two lateral applicants in background, and one candidate for a records position. She gave a brief statement on the Fletcher case, recognizing the tragedy and encouraging respectful dialogue. Assistant Chief Torres reported on RIPA data collection, explaining that forms are triggered by any detention or contact, and that San Leandro collects additional data points (intelligence-led stops, resident city, perceived race/ethnicity before stop). He clarified that officers use a single electronic form (LEFTA system) that expands fields for force or searches. Virtual reality training is still available for board members.
- IPA Monthly Report (Denise): For November 2025: 13 uses of force (11 reviewed by department and IPA, no agreed-upon course of action (ACCA)), 4 pursuits (5 reviewed, no ACCA), 5 complaints (1 reviewed, no ACCA). IPA noted that 17 incidents were reviewed with no ACCA, indicating fewer issues and appropriate department action. Board members requested more granular data, including narrative summaries, officer duplication, and types of calls. IPA provided details on June and November spikes: June had 16 uses of force (14 actual, 2 stop sticks), with 25 employees involved (7 had two, 1 had three). November had 13 uses of force (12 actual, 1 stop stick), with 16 employees (3 had two, 1 had three). Types of calls included domestic violence, stolen vehicles, assaults, etc. IPA agreed to consider adding more detail to monthly reports, balancing resource constraints.
- IPA Annual Report (Denise): Covered October 2024 to September 2025. Key highlights: 18 complaints reviewed (no disagreements), 73 uses of force reviewed (18 recommendations), 147 pursuits reviewed (66 recommendations, leading to pursuit policy review), 1 critical incident (no recommendations). IPA added commendations for exemplary behavior. The pursuit policy update is expected to be presented to the board in February 2026. IPA also noted that a RIPA data analysis will be available around March 2026. Board members discussed the need for independent policy review and not solely relying on IPA.
- Board Reports: Outreach subcommittee reported new flyers nearly ready. Ad hoc committee on crowd control met and will meet again January 9, 2026. Chair raised concerns about FLOCK data sharing with federal agencies, noting Richmond canceled its contract and Oakland added conditions. Board plans to schedule an update on FLOCK data audit by IPA.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approved: Unanimously (5-0).
- Training Carried Over: Board agreed to postpone discussion of further training to next meeting, with members to review IPA's syllabus and prioritize topics.
- Ad Hoc Committee Updates: Crowd control committee continues research; outreach flyers to be finalized.
- Future Agenda Items: Board will schedule updates on FLOCK data audit (pending IPA availability), police department budget impacts (to be determined), and pursuit policy review (expected February 2026).
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for January 2026 (date not specified).
Meeting Transcript
So I'll call the order of 601 and the first pledge of allegiance. I don't remember doing that. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, and liberty to justice. Thank you. So we've got two absences so far. I know Peter is going to be absent today, and I have an announcement to make in that regard. And we'll see if Tim makes it. So the first thing is that Peter has resigned, and he sent a letter to the mayor to that effect last week and they asked me to share that with you so let me just read it to you. Dear Mayor, please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation from my position as a member of the San Leandro Community Community Community Review Board. My resignation will be effective January 1. This decision is due to the increasing demands for my job to build up critical healthcare manufacturing facilities required to improve patient lives, which prevents me from being able to dedicate the required time and commitment to the board's important work. I am thankful for the opportunity to observe the city of San Leandro and its residents in this crucial capacity since June 2024. I fully support the mission of the CPRE and the work it does in cooperation with the independent police auditor to increase public trust and accountability. I will complete any bridge impending matters and I am available to assist with the smooth transition of information to the board and my success during my final weeks. Sincerely, Peter Franco. And we do thank Peter for his service and appreciate that he's taken this step. And now let's see, hopefully we'll have somebody on board. We're not too distant, I'm sure. We've got to organize here, we've got too much stuff to do. Chair, what does Peter represent? Excuse me? Distant? I'm sorry, he's the mayor at large. So another announcement I'd like to make at this time is given the fact that the death of Stephen Taylor five and a half years ago, the criminal case was just dismissed this past Friday, actually after our agenda came out, And the Stephen Taylor dance was obviously an important impetus for the creation of this very body. So I think it's important to acknowledge kind of what happened Friday and try to think about, well, how do we go forward as a community and from that. So I've written up a statement I'd like to share with you all. It's a personal statement. I don't expect that, you know, I'm not asking for your endorsement or any action, but let me just read it to you. The dismissalist pass variety of all criminal charges against former police officer Jason Fletcher for the killing of Steven Taylor after five and a half years is cause for great relief for the officer and his family. The opposite is true for the Taylor family who feel that justice has been denied. And so we faced the prospect of reopening the deep wounds in the community that resulted from that tragic incident. Unfortunately, the St. Leandro POA, Leisure Union, corroded that this decision was, quote unquote, vindication. It was not. Rather, the third DA with responsibility for the case concluded she could not win the case if it went to trial, in part by blaming the previous DA for mishandling the case. It also should not be that surprising. Over 1,000 people per year are killed in this country by police. In fact, a slight rise in that number since George Floyd.
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