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Board advances 'transparent policing' ordinance requiring quarterly stop and detention data reporting
Summary
Supervisor Cohen introduced an ordinance requiring the police and sheriff to collect and quarterly-report demographic and stop/detention data; the board rescinded an earlier vote, adopted several amendments addressing implementation and transgender reporting, and passed the ordinance on first reading as amended.
The Board of Supervisors on Sept. 8 moved forward with an ordinance aimed at increasing transparency around police and sheriff contacts with the public by requiring the collection and quarterly reporting of data on traffic stops, detentions and searches.
Rescind and reintroduce Supervisor Cohen moved to rescind a prior vote on item 10 earlier in the meeting so the board could consider amendments; the motion to rescind was seconded by Supervisor Christensen and carried without objection. After rescission Cohen presented the ordinance and several amendments she said were developed with community groups and city agencies.
What the ordinance would require (as described in the meeting) Supervisor Cohen said the ordinance would require both the Sheriff's Department and the Police Department to collect data on race, gender and other characteristics during traffic stops and any detention or search, and to analyze and report that information quarterly to the Board of Supervisors, the mayor's office, the Human Rights Commission and the Police Commission. Cohen framed the ordinance as responsive to national recommendations, citing President Obama's "21st Century Policing" task force report as background.
Amendments and scope Cohen read several amendments into the record. Key changes recorded in the transcript include: - Change collection of data on race to be based on an individual's actual race rather than officer perception/observation (page 3, line 16 in the clerk's copy as read into the record). - Modify transgender-related reporting to reflect complaints filed with the Office of Citizens' Complaints by self-identified transgender individuals rather than requiring officers to inquire about gender identity (page 7, line 4 as read into the record). - Timing adjustment moving an implementation date to align with the end of the fiscal year (June 2017) and other minor language clarifications.
Debate and community context Supervisors expressed support for greater transparency while several members cautioned that additional reforms are needed beyond data collection, including body-worn camera implementation, training and disciplinary reform. Supervisor Kim asked whether investigative contacts were considered for reporting; Cohen said the public defender's suggestion to include investigative contacts was not accepted because it was beyond the scope of the ordinance and the 21st Century Policing recommendations Cohen relied on.
Board action After amendment, the board passed the ordinance unanimously on first reading as amended.
Clarifying details from the transcript - Sponsor's purpose: reduce disproportionate detentions and perceived biased policing, improve transparency and rebuild trust with minority communities. - Transgender concerns: sponsors revised reporting so that officers would not be required to identify or request gender identity during encounters; instead reporting would reflect complaints from self-identified transgender individuals to the Office of Citizens' Complaints.
Provenance topicintro: "Excuse me, madam president. I'd like to make a motion to rescind the vote for item number 10." (transcript excerpt)
topfinish: "Seeing no objection, this item this ordinance is passed unanimously as amended on the first reading." (transcript excerpt)
