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OCC director presents 2014 annual report; commission urged to back budget additions for investigators and attorneys
Summary
OCC Director Joyce Hicks told the Police Commission the office investigated 706 cases in 2014, reported a current median investigator caseload of 28 (up from a target of 16), and asked the Board of Supervisors to approve two investigator positions, an IT position and two attorneys in the FY15–16 mayoral budget.
OCC Director Joyce Hicks presented the Office of Citizens Complaints' 2014 annual report to the San Francisco Police Commission on June 10, 2015, and asked the commission to support a Mayor‑proposed budget that would add investigators and legal staff.
Hicks said the OCC received 728 complaints in 2014 and investigated 706 cases, making findings on 2,244 allegations involving 507 officers. "At the conclusion of 2014, the median caseload of OCC investigators was 24 cases. Today, the median caseload of OCC investigators is 28 cases," Hicks said, noting one investigator had 32 cases. She reminded commissioners the controller's 2007 audit recommended a best practice of 16 cases per investigator and said continued vacancies have driven the higher caseloads.
Hicks described the OCC’s workload and outcomes: sustained findings accounted for about 8 percent of closed cases (58 sustained cases of 706 closed), and there were 79 bias claims (74 racial‑bias claims) in 2014 though the OCC made no sustained findings of bias that year. She also summarized customer survey results: roughly 6 percent response rates from complainants and officers, with 27 percent of complainants reporting they were satisfied or very satisfied and 39 percent of officers similarly satisfied. "We will continue to administer customer satisfaction surveys and report on the results every two years," she said.
Hicks highlighted the OCC’s policy work and mediation program. The office has contributed to Department General Orders including a children‑of‑arrested‑parents policy (DGO 7.04) and recommended changes to domestic‑violence interview procedures (DGO 6.09). Hicks said OCC mediators handled 50 pro bono mediations last year with satisfaction rates that "exceed 90 percent" and that mediations speed case closure and save cost.
On technology and budget, Hicks said the OCC completed an online complaint‑filing project despite limited IT staffing and requested that, if the Board of Supervisors adopts the mayor's proposed budget for FY15–16, the OCC would receive two additional investigator positions, an information‑technology position and two attorney positions (one restoring Donna Salazar to full time). She said budget hearings for public safety departments would begin the following week.
Votes at a glance: the commission adopted meeting minutes by voice vote earlier in the evening and later approved adjournment by voice vote; no formal votes were taken on OCC budget requests during the meeting.
Why it matters: the OCC is the city's civilian oversight office for police complaints; its staffing levels and caseloads directly affect the speed and scope of investigations and the office's ability to produce policy recommendations. The OCC’s request for investigative and legal staff will be considered in the Board of Supervisors' budget process.
The commission asked Hicks for follow‑up materials (trend reports, further breakdowns of caseloads and survey methodology) and to provide interim updates on testing of sexual‑assault kits and other cross‑departmental activities. The commission did not take a formal vote on OCC budget items; Director Hicks said she would supply additional information to supervisors during budget hearings.
