The San Francisco Department for Police Accountability (DPA) recently hosted a presentation by its summer 2025 interns, who proposed significant reforms to the San Francisco Police Department's (SFPD) General Order 8.10, which governs investigations related to First Amendment activities. This initiative aims to modernize outdated policies and enhance transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.

The interns, representing a diverse cohort with over 80% identifying as female and more than half as Black or African American, emphasized the importance of addressing implicit bias in policing. Their recommendations stem from a thorough review of existing policies and research on best practices from other jurisdictions.

Key proposals include defining ambiguous terms within the policy, such as "criminal investigation" and "involves," to ensure clarity and consistency in law enforcement actions. The interns also called for guidelines on the use of modern surveillance technologies, including drones, which currently lack clear operational protocols under DGO 8.10. By aligning departmental policies with citywide surveillance laws, the interns believe public trust can be strengthened.

Another significant recommendation is the establishment of an oversight unit to monitor SFPD's responses to First Amendment activities, such as protests. This unit would consist of a police commissioner, a DPA member, and an SFPD officer, tasked with auditing responses and ensuring compliance with constitutional protections.

The interns also advocated for mandatory training on First Amendment rights for all SFPD officers, not just those in specialized units. This training aims to prepare officers to handle situations involving constitutionally protected activities appropriately.

Lastly, the interns proposed implementing structured mechanisms for tracking and documenting encounters related to First Amendment activities. This would include a specific tagging system in incident reports to improve accountability and transparency.

The DPA leadership expressed gratitude for the interns' insights and emphasized the importance of considering these recommendations to enhance the SFPD's approach to civil liberties. The meeting highlighted a collaborative effort to bridge gaps in policy and practice, ultimately aiming to foster a more accountable and community-focused police department.