Public calls for independent civilian oversight of San Rafael police; PAC criticized for lack of independence

Two Marin community groups urged the San Rafael City Council on Oct. 6 to strengthen the independence and capacity of the Police Advisory and Accountability Committee (PAC), saying the PAC currently depends too heavily on the police department for information and agenda control and that several PAC recommendations have not reached the council.

Tammy Edmonson of MV Free told the council the PAC lacks independence because the San Rafael Police Department provides the committee’s agendas, staff reports, minutes and the PAC’s annual report. “The PAC has no power to communicate with the city council except through a police intermediary,” Edmonson said, and she urged the council to place four PAC recommendations addressing racial disparities in policing on a future council agenda for public consideration.

Ed Ruski, speaking for MP3, said civilian oversight must be independent of law enforcement to build community trust. He and MV Free asked the council to assign a staff liaison who is independent of the police department and to ensure PAC members receive training in police oversight. Both speakers said the council has the authority to fix the structural issues they described and offered assistance from community organizations.

Council members did not take immediate action on the request during open time but received the comments. Staff and council members acknowledged the public comment and indicated the concerns would be referred to the appropriate staff and council processes for follow-up.