OCC director outlines complaint process, staffing and 2013 case statistics

Joyce Hicks, director of the San Francisco Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC), told the Police Commission and community members that the OCC is an independent civilian oversight office created by a 1982 board of supervisors charter amendment and made fully operational in 1983.

She described the OCC’s role: investigating civilian complaints against officers, interviewing complainants, involved officers and witnesses, conducting fieldwork and using subpoena power to obtain evidence. Hicks said the OCC has a staff of about 35 people — mostly investigators, supported by attorneys and administrative staff — and that investigators aim to complete investigations within nine months and, except in limited cases, within one year as required by state law.

Hicks provided case statistics for 2013: the OCC received 727 complaints (a 2% reduction from 2012), sustained findings in 6% of closed cases, found proper conduct in 25% of allegations, and labeled 2% unfounded; unnecessary‑force allegations made up about 10% of allegations received and five such allegations were sustained. She also described a voluntary mediation program (59 mediations last year, 87% officer participation among eligible officers) and multilingual intake capacity and outreach options, and invited attendees to consult OCC materials and staff in the front row.

The presentation closed with practical information: the OCC accepts complaints in person (7th floor, 25 Van Ness Ave.), by phone, mail, online and fax, and maintains an after‑hours answering service for serious allegations. Hicks said community members may also file complaints at district police stations where station personnel will forward them to the OCC.

Hicks concluded by offering OCC staff (including senior investigator Sherry Hall) to answer questions from the audience after the presentation.