Community activists urge SFPD transparency and further review in Alejandro Nieto killing

San Francisco — Community members pressed the San Francisco Police Commission on Aug. 27 to reopen or substantially review the city's handling of the March fatal shooting of Alejandro (Alex) Nieto, saying recent information contradicts the department's public statements.

Maria Vialta of the Justice for Alex Nieto Committee told commissioners that the group's attorney has located a new eyewitness whose account "contradicts Chief Sir's statements" and said the officers involved remain on patrol. "There's a really big disconnect between the Police Department and the community," Vialta said, adding that the community fears a lack of transparency and called for the Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC) to update outstanding complaints.

Adriana Camarena, also with the committee, said the most important fact from the new accounts is that "Alejandro Nieto never had a taser in his hand nor moved to get his taser," and asked whether the commission would investigate an alleged cover-up by the department.

Director of the OCC Joyce Hicks and commissioners discussed the commission's investigative tracks during later agenda items. Hicks explained the OCC's role is administrative oversight and said the OCC opens independent investigations, forwards sustained findings to the chief for discipline up to 10 days' suspension, and can ask the chief to file charges with the commission; she also noted that, historically under the current chief, she has asked for charges the chief did not file.

The public speakers framed their requests as calls for additional review and more transparency rather than a specific vote; commissioners did not vote on a specific follow-up at the meeting but were asked by speakers to report back on OCC complaints and any additional actions to ensure the community has answers.

The commission's next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 3 at City Hall.