Office of Police Complaints records all‑time high complaints in FY24; director urges funding, expanded authority

The Office of Police Complaints received a record 942 complaints in fiscal 2024, Executive Director Michael Tobin told the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety at a March 11 oversight hearing, stressing that the agency is operating with historically high caseloads and limited staff.

Why it matters: City oversight of police misconduct is both a check on department behavior and a public‑trust mechanism. Tobin and public witnesses told the committee that OPC needs additional funding and statutory authority to publish officer disciplinary records, make binding disciplinary recommendations, and expand proactive policy review. Without those changes, witnesses and OPC officials said the system leaves residents feeling unheard and limits civilian oversight.

Tobin, the agency’s executive director, told the committee that OPC recorded “an all time record high” of 942 complaints in fiscal 2024. He said OPC opened 423 new investigations on top of a backlog and conducted roughly 492 interviews last year, including compelled interviews of officers. Tobin said OPC resolved 83% of its investigations in fewer than 180 days…