Fire & Police Commission outlines 2025 work plan priorities; annual report to council slated for March

The Fire and Police Commission reviewed a draft 2025 work plan on Jan. 23 that emphasizes expanding community engagement, increasing public access to commission materials, and exploring how the commission can discuss certain police investigations once disclosure rules permit. The commission expects to submit an annual oversight report and the finalized work plan to City Council on March 18.

Barbara (staff) told the commission the work plan fulfills an ordinance requirement to submit an annual report on community oversight and to set priorities for the coming year. "This is really meant to take the feedback received out of November meeting about what you would like to see prioritize as part of the work plan," Barbara said.

Key planning objectives in the draft include: identifying ways to broaden public engagement and outreach; improving public access to meeting materials and data; reviewing the commission's ability to discuss certain investigatory matters once they become disclosable under the Penal Code; and clarifying the commission's use of public statements following significant incidents.

Vice Chair Hill asked whether prior work-plan goals had been incorporated; staff said most 2024 goals have been completed or carried forward and that staff will provide a comprehensive update at the next meeting. The commission agreed to continue refining the draft and to receive an annual report at the next meeting before forwarding to City Council.

No formal vote was recorded on the draft at the meeting; commissioners provided verbal agreement that the draft captured previously expressed priorities and asked staff to return with a finalized proposal.