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FDRB reviews two firearm-discharge cases; department reports 18 open officer-involved investigations
Summary
The Firearm Discharge Review Board reviewed two recent cases (an officer shot and killed an aggressive dog in Bayview and a separate officer-involved shooting on US-101 in San Bruno); both were determined to be within department policy. The department reported 18 open OIS investigations and outstanding charging decisions from the District Attorney's Office.
Sergeant John Crudo of the Internal Affairs Division presented the fourth-quarter 2015 Firearm Discharge Review Board (FDRB) report and an update on officer-involved shooting investigations.
Crudo summarized two cases reviewed by the FDRB: OIS 06/15 (Sept. 5, 2015, Engel Street) where an officer fired one department-issued shotgun round at a pit bull attacking another dog and the use of force was determined to be within policy; and OIS 15/5 (July 26, 2015, US-101/San Bruno Ave.) in which an officer assigned to the airport bureau fired twice in response to an advanced suspect and the use of force was determined to be within policy. The FDRB recommended equipment and training adjustments for officers involved in the latter case (holster upgrade and transition training), recommendations the chief accepted.
Crudo provided a snapshot of open investigations: the department listed 18 active OIS investigations, with 11 criminal matters under review by the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and other criminal investigations pending in San Mateo County and with SFPD homicide. The DA had issued two charging-decision letters received by the department in mid-December for earlier cases; those letters allow administrative investigations to proceed or to come off tolling.
Crudo also noted several new OIS investigations opened since the prior quarterly update (case numbers listed in the report) and announced the next FDRB was tentatively scheduled for March 23, 2016.
Commissioners asked for context about differing timelines across counties and whether tolling of administrative investigations tied to DA decisions delays internal processes. Crudo explained tolling pauses statute-of-limitations clocks but investigations continue as feasible and that DA letters often include substantive legal analysis useful to administrative determinations.
No votes or policy changes were adopted during the FDRB presentation; commissioners thanked staff for the update and noted next steps would include review at the next scheduled FDRB meeting.
