Board adopts Mario Woods remembrance day, backs federal review and new OCC ballot measure

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Jan. 26 to establish a city remembrance day for Mario Woods and to request independent federal review of his Dec. 2, 2015, shooting, as debate about police use-of-force and oversight continued at City Hall.

The resolution to set July 20 as a Mario Woods Remembrance Day passed 11-0 after an amendment—added by Supervisor Scott Wiener and adopted without objection—noting that multiple investigations into the shooting were ongoing and would determine the facts. Mayor Edwin Lee, who addressed the board at the start of the meeting, said he had requested a Department of Justice investigation and was pursuing a “top to bottom review” of the police department’s use-of-force policies. "As a city, we must heal our divisions and rebuild trust between our communities and law enforcement," Lee said.

Why it matters: The votes and the mayor’s statements mark a clear, citywide push for independent scrutiny of officer-involved shootings following Woods’ death. Supervisors and community members pressed for institutional reforms they say are needed to rebuild trust between communities of color and police.

The board debate included extended public testimony. Ms. Woods, the victim’s mother, addressed the supervisors on the chamber floor, describing the personal impact of her son’s death and urging sustained attention and action by city officials and community groups. Multiple supervisors—especially Malia Cohen, David Campos, John Avalos and Jane Kim—said the city must both support rank-and-file officers who do their jobs professionally and ensure accountable investigations when force is used.

Supervisor Malia Cohen also announced that she will put a ballot measure before voters in June that would require the Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC) to conduct an independent investigation whenever a police officer discharges a firearm and the incident results in injury or death. Cohen said the measure would expand triggers for OCC investigations beyond the current practice, which she said results in investigations in only about 40–50% of comparable cases. “Let's make investigations fair. Let's make them impartial. Let's make them unbiased,” Cohen said.

Other board actions and context - Item 41: The board adopted a resolution (Public Safety & Neighborhood Services Committee) establishing a city remembrance day for Mario Woods (vote: 11-0 as amended). Supervisor Wiener’s amendment added language acknowledging ongoing investigations; the final resolution passed unanimously. The record shows the amendment was adopted and the item passed (transcript evidence: Supervisor Weiner amendment, roll calls, and final adoption language). - Item 51: The board adopted a separate resolution affirming its commitment to police accountability and racial justice and urging review of SFPD use-of-force policy. The resolution was amended on the floor to request the U.S. Department of Justice undertake independent investigations of the shootings of Mario Woods, Alex Nieto and Amilcar Perez-Lopez, and to review the SFPD process for investigating use-of-force incidents; the amended resolution passed.

What officials said - Mayor Edwin Lee (Mayor): Said he had asked U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch for a DOJ investigation and had asked the Police Commission and chief to deliver a reform plan by Feb. 15. "As a city, we must heal our divisions and rebuild trust between our communities and law enforcement," he said. - Supervisor Malia Cohen (Supervisor): Announced a June ballot measure to require OCC investigations whenever an officer discharges a weapon that results in injury or death and urged full funding for OCC to carry out impartial inquiries. - Ms. Woods (mother of Mario Woods, community member): Addressed the board in public comment, describing the personal toll of her son’s death and urging the city to take action to prevent similar tragedies.

Next steps and outlook: The board’s unanimous vote to request federal review and the announcement of a ballot measure will likely accelerate negotiations among city officials, the OCC, the Police Commission and community advocates over how independent investigations will be resourced and structured. Several supervisors also urged structural reforms—body cameras, changes to use-of-force training and review of OCC enforcement powers—that will require follow-up in committee and future budget cycles.

Ending note: Board members repeatedly framed the measures as both a response to specific, high-profile incidents and as part of broader efforts—administrative and legislative—to strengthen oversight and community trust. The mayor and multiple supervisors said they view the actions as a first step, not the last.