OCC director: staffing shortfalls slow complex investigations; sustained rate remains low

Director Joyce Hicks told the commission the OCC added investigators in 2015 but remains underfunded and understaffed for complex, officer‑involved‑shooting investigations. Hicks said investigators’ caseloads averaged about 28 cases — above best‑practice levels (about 16) — and that investigators currently transcribe their own interviews, a time‑consuming practice the OCC would prefer to replace with transcription services at an estimated additional cost of roughly $250,000.

Hicks presented complaint statistics for the third quarter of 2015 and year‑to‑date figures: an adjusted total of 172 complaints in the third quarter and 513 complaints through the end of the quarter; the OCC sustained 8 complaints in the quarter (a 5% sustained rate that quarter) and reported an annual sustained rate near 9% for 2015. Hicks noted the OCC’s policy recommendations, drawn from the president’s 21st‑Century Policing task force, cover training, stop‑data collection and other procedural reforms.

Hicks also reminded the public and commissioners that state law restricts the OCC from publishing officer names in its public reports and that the OCC publishes complaint summaries without identifying officers. She said the OCC will press for additional resources, continue outreach and aim to close most investigations within nine months when feasible.

What was requested: Commissioners asked whether the OCC would seek additional budget support to handle a potential increase in officer‑involved‑shooting investigations and whether it would ask for transcription funding to reduce investigators’ administrative burden. Hicks said she will discuss needs with the city budget director and pursue a supplemental request as appropriate.

Next steps: OCC will continue staffing efforts, pursue transcription services, and present more detailed staffing and budget requests to the city as needed.