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OCC tells commission it has opened independent probe, urges transparency bill support
Summary
OCC Director Joyce Hicks said the office has launched an independent investigation of the April 7 shooting, summarized March disciplinary outcomes and asked the city to consider supporting 'Sen. Leno's Senate Bill 12 86' (as transcribed); commissioners pressed for better coordination with department investigators.
The Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC) told the Police Commission on April 7 that it has opened an independent investigation into the April 7 officer‑involved shooting and that the investigator assigned to the case is present at the meeting.
Director Joyce Hicks detailed OCC outreach and training activities in March, including presentations to the police academy and regional oversight training on profiling and data use. Hicks encouraged witnesses and others with evidence to contact the OCC directly at the number she read into the record.
Hicks said she requested the city’s state legislation committee consider a request supporting “Sen. Leno’s Senate Bill 12 86” (as transcribed). Hicks reported that the bill passed the Senate Public Safety Committee 5–1 and was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Director Hicks also summarized OCC statistical reports for March and outlined nine summaries of sustained complaints with proposed discipline. The summaries included cases where officers failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, failures to collect traffic‑stop data, neglect of duty for failing to prepare incident reports, and two incidents involving sergeants who used profane or derogatory language. In one case the OCC described a sergeant who used a complainant’s cell phone number to send a text message offering to loan money; the OCC said it did not agree with the department’s written‑reprimand outcome and expressed concern about lack of early coordination when both OCC and Internal Affairs investigate the same complaint.
Commissioners asked for greater detail on the two sergeant cases and sought a report with written procedures to avoid future coordination gaps. Hicks said OCC will report back and that when necessary the OCC can bring charges before the commission if it disagrees with a chief‑level discipline decision.
The commission asked the OCC and the police department to propose a conflict/coordination rule to ensure OCC has timely access to discipline histories and to prevent missed opportunities for commission‑level review.
