Independent Police Auditor’s 2024 year‑end report urges faster access to officer‑involved shooting materials
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Summary
The city’s independent police auditor presented a first year report recommending expanded oversight access to officer‑involved shooting investigations, broader review of use‑of‑force incidents, and a formal memorandum of agreement with Internal Affairs.
Independent Police Auditor Eddie Aubrey presented the office’s 2024 year‑end report to the San Jose City Council on June 17, urging expanded access for the auditor’s office to officer‑involved shooting investigations and recommending a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Internal Affairs to clarify roles and speed oversight.
Key findings: The IPA’s office audited 282 cases in 2024 and reviewed allegations from 373 complaints — a 17% increase over 2023 — with 157 sustained allegations (a 14% sustain rate). "There were 373 complaints, which was a 17% increase from 2023," Aubrey told the council. He said 69% of findings concluded no misconduct, and that department‑initiated complaints had a higher sustained rate than community complaints.
Major recommendations: Aubrey recommended 12 reforms grouped under oversight and access, operations and policy, and accountability and transparency. Among the highest‑priority recommendations were: (1) a formal MOA between the IPA and Internal Affairs; (2) earlier and broader access to officer‑involved shooting scene briefings, body‑worn camera footage and interviews; and (3) classification of critical incidents (officer‑involved shootings, custody deaths, civil suits) as department‑initiated investigations to ensure consistent auditing.
Council response: Councilmembers praised Aubrey’s outreach and the new office’s strategic plan. Some council members requested continued discussions with the police chief about the second recommendation — timely access to OIS materials — because of concerns about criminal investigations and DA coordination. Chief Paul Joseph said officer‑involved‑shooting investigations are criminal investigations from the outset and noted collaboration with the district attorney; Aubrey responded that other Northern California jurisdictions provide contemporaneous oversight access without jeopardizing criminal probes.
Other findings: The IPA reported 569 total use‑of‑force incidents in 2024, including 13 great‑bodily‑injury cases and five officer‑involved shootings. Aubrey noted patterns including canine deployments as a frequent factor in serious injuries and recommended reviewing canine procedures and reducing head/face strikes where possible.
Action: Council approved a motion supporting a staff memo accepting ten of the IPA’s 12 recommendations and requested continued collaborative discussions about the OIS access recommendation. The motion passed unanimously.
Ending note: The IPA said real‑time auditing and improved access would strengthen public trust and oversight while preserving criminal investigative integrity; council and police leaders agreed to continue working together on implementation details.
