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Police commission begins implementing DOJ recommendations; department sets 18-month timeline
Summary
The commission reviewed the DOJ/COPS Collaborative Reform report released Oct. 12, which lists 94 findings and 272 recommendations. Department leaders said they will integrate the recommendations into a matrix, seek DOJ technical assistance and provide monthly updates to the commission during an 18-month implementation period.
The San Francisco Police Commission on Oct. 12 took the first formal steps to implement recommendations in the Department of Justice's Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Assessment Report, released that morning.
Captain Connolly, head of Professional Standards, told commissioners the report contains 94 findings and 272 recommendations and that the department will "integrate these recommendations into a matrix" and prioritize them through a ranking system. "We have an 18 month deadline in which to comply with the DOJ's reports and recommendations," Connolly said during the presentation.
Commissioners pressed department leaders on sequencing, budget implications and community oversight. Commissioner De Jesus asked whether the commission would have time to review the report with DOJ or receive a direct presentation; Captain Connolly said the department will develop a strategic implementation plan and return to the commission with a schedule. Connolly and other officials said DOJ has offered technical assistance to help with training, data systems and implementation.
Director Joyce Hicks of the Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC) said the OCC will play a role in implementing recommendations and noted the office had already identified opportunities for collaboration on accountability, use of force and crisis-response timelines. Hicks quoted Director Ron Davis's summary of the reform effort, saying, "The truth hurts, but selective ignorance is fatal."
Officials listed near-term actions already underway: policy reviews, implicit-bias training, crisis-intervention training, and rolling out a body-worn camera policy. Connolly said the department will post progress on its website as recommendations are implemented and provide monthly reporting to the commission to allow public and supervisory oversight.
Commission President Loftus and other commissioners emphasized the need for a living matrix that ties DOJ recommendations to prior local reviews, including the Blue Ribbon Panel and civil grand-jury reports. Commission members also asked the department to identify what will require new city funding and when those requests will be brought to the Board of Supervisors.
The commission scheduled follow-up briefings and said it would agendize time to review the implementation plan and to hear from COPS Office staff as planning proceeds. The department and the mayor's office said they are in early conversations about costs, data systems and the technical assistance DOJ has offered.
What happens next: staff will develop the implementation matrix and a strategy for prioritizing recommendations and return to the commission with a timeline and monthly progress updates.
