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Family members allege improper 5150 detention of memory-care resident; advocates urge changes to policy and training
Summary
During public comment multiple speakers alleged that Bayview officers detained a 72-year-old memory-care resident under a Welfare & Institutions Code 5150 hold, handcuffed her and transported her to San Francisco General despite care staff objections. The Commission directed complainants to OCC for investigation and asked staff to follow up on training and policy gaps for seniors.
Several family members and disability-rights advocates told the Police Commission that Bayview officers improperly detained and transported an elderly memory-care resident under a 5150 hold, and urged policy changes and updated training for officers who interact with seniors and people with cognitive impairment.
Jeffrey King described arriving to find his 72-year-old mother—a memory-care resident who is deaf and nonverbal—handcuffed and taken by officers after another resident called 911 for a minor dispute. "She posed no threat as confirmed by multiple witnesses and trained medical staff at the facility," King said, and he noted the officer informed him the detention was pursuant to a 5150 hold.
Malia Schlaefer, a public-health instructor and supporter of King, said SF General psychiatrists indicated the woman should not have been transported and would likely have been released the same night. "Officers created a crisis that didn't previously exist," Schlaefer said, urging the Commission to revise policy and training to protect seniors.
Director Hicks (OCC) and Commission staff explained the complaint process and said the Office of Citizen Complaints is working with the family to document allegations and will investigate. Commissioner (Speaker 22) said community partners had raised similar concerns to the critical-incident team, and the Commission asked the OCC and SFPD to provide updates on related policy and training work.
Speakers asked the Commission to consider senior-specific crisis-intervention guidance and stronger safeguards for medical facilities and memory-care residents; advocates also requested clearer public reporting on investigation outcomes and policy changes.
