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OCC names investigators, Blue Ribbon report discussed as commission seeks resources
Summary
The Office of Citizen Complaints announced several senior investigator appointments; the Commission and OCC discussed the Blue Ribbon Panel report and the Sparks policy tracking document and asked for resources (policy analysts, staffing) to implement recommendations and track reforms.
The Commission heard administrative updates from Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC) Director Joyce Hicks, who announced promotions and temporary appointments intended to strengthen investigatory capacity.
Director Hicks said she had appointed Steve Ball, Sherry Fletcher and Sarah Maunder as senior investigators and brought on Aaron (Erin) Zisser as temporary attorneys to evaluate investigation processes and help implement recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Task Force. Hicks said OCC attorney John Alden will work with new staff to study the Blue Ribbon Panel's findings and prepare a written OCC response.
Hicks told commissioners that in 2015 the OCC investigated and sustained two serious misconduct cases; one officer retired and another resigned. She emphasized completing investigations even if an officer leaves, so the allegations are preserved in personnel files and available for background checks.
Commission discussion emphasized the need for additional OCC resources, a public policy analyst on the Commission's staff, and for the department to continue collaborating with OCC and community stakeholders on use‑of‑force, crisis intervention team (CIT) deployment and language access improvements. Sam Ramarian of the OCC and Deputy Chief Hector Sinas briefed the Commission on the Sparks tracking report, describing areas worked on in the prior six months (use of force, CIT DGO revisions, body‑worn camera and language access data collection).
Commissioners asked staff to prioritize items and prepare for the anticipated U.S. Department of Justice recommendations expected in the coming months.
