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Department of Police Accountability reports falling backlog, launches use-of-force audit survey
Summary
DPA Executive Director Paul Henderson told the Police Commission the office opened 63 cases and closed 69 since the last meeting, is beginning a charter-mandated use-of-force audit survey, and is advancing several policy DGOs including sexual assault and domestic violence.
Paul Henderson, executive director of the Department of Police Accountability, told the Police Commission on March 12 that DPA is beginning a charter-mandated use-of-force audit and will survey commissioners to inform the audit objectives.
Henderson said his office opened 63 new cases and closed 69 since the last commission meeting. "We currently have 16 investigations that have been open for more than 270 days," he said, adding that the number has declined since the prior report. He attributed long investigations to delays in obtaining third-party records, juvenile records, and other procedural issues that can prolong review times, and said staff review case specifics weekly.
Henderson said the policy division is in the final working group for Department General Order 6.16 (sexual assault) and has begun stakeholder engagement for DGO 6.09 (domestic violence). He also said staff are prepared to meet one-on-one with commissioners and will continue stakeholder outreach as those DGOs advance.
On oversight procedures, Henderson said DPA currently has 98 pending cases with the chief and two pending cases with the Police Commission. He told commissioners that recent work with SFPD legal has reduced the number of cases pending with the chief by more than 12% and reduced commission-pending cases by about 50% since the previous report.
Henderson closed by offering DPA contact information for members of the public: (415) 241-7711 and sfgov.org/dpa. He said he would follow up with commissioners on any case-specific questions, including the single case approaching the 270-day mark.
Ending: Henderson characterized the trend as an improving one and said DPA will continue audits and stakeholder engagement on policy updates.
