S.F. Police Commission hears body‑camera working‑group update, OCC reports rising sustained findings; votes to change meeting schedule

The San Francisco Police Commission on Wednesday heard an update on the department’s body‑worn camera working group, reviewed civilian‑oversight complaint trends and voted unanimously to change its regular meeting schedule beginning in August.

The meeting opened with public comment that criticized SFPD culture and recent internal scandals. Several commenters referenced the 2012 SFPD email/text revelations and raised concern about promotions of officers alleged to have been involved in domestic‑violence incidents. Steve Chen, a member of the public, asked the Commission to consider whether racist remarks by officers ‘‘manifest themselves in the field in the way that police officers interact with the black population.’’

Chief of Police Gregory Pease reviewed recent department activity and use‑of‑force follow‑ups, telling the Commission that ‘‘we have a very strict pursuit policy. We do not pursue nonviolent felons. We do not pursue misdemeanants’’ and that supervisors monitor pursuits to weigh public‑safety risks. He also noted recent recruitment and youth programs including a cadet graduation and summer jobs placements.

Commander Bob Moser, co‑chair of the body‑worn camera working group, told the Commission the group met for the first time and includes representatives from the department, the Office of Citizens’ Complaints (OCC), the San Francisco Bar Association, the ACLU, the Public Defender’s Office, the Human Rights Commission, departmental HR and employee groups including the POA. The group’s reference materials include the PERF model policy and the Department of Justice toolkit; Moser said the working group’s next meeting was scheduled for June 16 and it is drafting recommendations to present to the Commission within the 90‑day timeframe the Commission set for itself.

Joyce Hicks, director of the OCC, presented preliminary statistics for the first five months of the year: 289 complaints received compared with 321 by June 3 last year (about a 10% drop), 258 complaints closed versus 298 last year (about a 14% decline in closures), pending cases 366 versus 341 (a 7% increase) and sustained cases 23 versus 17 (a 17% increase). Hicks said investigators’ caseloads are ‘‘at around a median of 26 cases’’ compared with best‑practice guidance near 16 and attributed the backlog in part to staffing constraints and more cases being sustained, which take longer to investigate.

Commissioners asked whether BWCs would reduce complaint volume, require changes in OCC review technology or speed investigations. Hicks said research and the DOJ toolkit indicate BWCs can change complaint patterns and that body camera footage will be ‘‘another piece of evidence’’ that may allow OCC investigators to reach more definitive findings, while noting the OCC may seek additional technology or staffing if needed.

On scheduling, Commissioner De Jesus moved to shift the Commission’s regular meetings to the first, second and third Wednesdays of each month beginning in August, with the second Wednesday dedicated to community meetings. The motion was seconded; a roll call recorded affirmative votes and the motion passed unanimously.

The Commission also voted to convene a closed session on a separate agenda item and then returned to open session before adjourning.

The Commission will next meet under the revised schedule in August; the working group is scheduled to meet again June 16 and will return recommendations to the Commission when available.