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San Francisco residents press Police Commission over alleged racism, chase policy after fatal pursuit
Summary
Dozens of residents urged the Police Commission to hold officers accountable for racist behavior, adopt independent enforcement of body-cam evidence, and change pursuit rules after an April car chase that left a pedestrian dead.
Dozens of residents used the Police Commission's public-comment period to press officials for accountability after a series of incidents they described as biased policing and a car chase that killed a pedestrian. Reverend Brown told the panel that officers had interrupted a funeral service at Third Baptist Church and insulted worshippers; he called for immediate sensitivity training and said the community would continue to press the issue until they were heard.
Other speakers described neighborhood policing problems and racial profiling. Renee Davis urged the commission to revise the department's pursuit policy or to discipline officers who fail to follow it after her daughter was involved in a crash during a recent chase. Kevin Stahl and other speakers said a high-speed pursuit on April 10 resulted in a pedestrian's death and demanded that the department minimize the risk of future chases.
Several commenters urged the city to adopt body-mounted cameras only if an independent outside agency will review and enforce findings. Shari Taylor, a parishioner of Third Baptist Church, said that badge cameras are ineffective without external enforcement, citing Rodney King, Trayvon Martin and other cases as examples of footage that did not result in sustained accountability.
Speakers also urged the Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC) to be strengthened. Emile Lawrence and others said many complaint requests went unanswered and asked the OCC and the Police Commission to ensure investigations are thorough and transparent. Community leaders from the Tenderloin and Bayview urged more officers of color and better training in cultural sensitivity and de-escalation techniques.
The Chair and staff repeatedly reminded commenters of the two-minute time limit during public comment; several speakers requested longer time for community members and asked the commission to hold additional community meetings. The Commission did not take formal votes on these policy proposals during public comment; instead commissioners signaled interest in scheduling follow-up items and receiving additional materials from staff.
