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Office of Citizen Complaints outlines investigative role, 2013 caseload
Summary
Joyce Hicks, executive director of the Office of Citizen Complaints, described OCC’s mandate under charter section 4.127, investigative and mediation procedures, staffing and 2013 caseload figures, and the office’s role in prosecuting sustained complaints to the commission.
Joyce Hicks, executive director of the San Francisco Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC), presented an overview of the OCC’s mission, staffing and 2013 workload at the Police Commission meeting on June 4.
Hicks said the OCC was established by a Board of Supervisors–initiated charter amendment in 1982 and became operational in 1983; it operates under charter section 4.127 as a civilian oversight body that investigates civilian complaints of police misconduct. She described the OCC’s responsibilities to receive complaints, investigate or mediate them, and, when appropriate, prosecute sustained findings before the police commission or defend chief’s discipline in chief‑level hearings.
Hicks described OCC staffing as approximately 35 total employees with 21 investigators and said the office maintains a minimum staffing ratio of one investigator per 150 sworn members as set in the charter. She listed common allegation types (discourtesy, unnecessary force, neglect of duty, unlawful detention/arrest/search and racial slurs) and explained possible findings — sustained, not sustained, unfounded, withdrawn or no finding — and potential discipline ranging from admonishment through termination or, in some cases, criminal prosecution.
On workload, Hicks said the OCC made sustained findings in 43 cases in 2013 and prosecuted eight cases; she reported that the OCC received roughly 727 complaints in 2013 and that complaints have trended down from prior years. Hicks also described OCC outreach and mediation: the OCC mediated 59 complaints last year and offers mediation in the complainant’s language, noting staff can provide Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin and Cantonese services.
Hicks closed with contact information for filing complaints (25 Van Ness Avenue, 7th floor; phone (415) 241-7711) and a note that OCC proposals include revising vehicle pursuit policy, adopting protocols for care of children of arrestees and enhancing language access.
Commissioners had no substantive objections and thanked Hicks for the briefing; no action was taken.
