Friends and family urge action as OCC opens complaint in Alejandro Nieto shooting

Several family members and community advocates urged the Police Commission to seek accountability in the shooting death of Alejandro Nieto during general public comment on April 2. Joyce Hicks, director of the Office of Citizens' Complaints (OCC), told the commission she had opened a complaint to investigate the matter and that the OCC will deliver a rescheduled 2013 annual report and a comprehensive statistical report for March next week.

A friend of Mr. Nieto told commissioners that it was "confirmed to us that it was four police officers who shot him," said the friend, and described grave injuries to the victim. The speaker asked that the involved officers be removed from duty and terminated, and pledged continued public advocacy for what she called justice for the family. Another public commenter referenced the same incident and asked why funeral costs had not been covered and whether the family had been treated as victims by city processes.

OCC Director Joyce Hicks said the office has received several phone calls since the shooting and has opened an investigation into the matter. Hicks said the OCC will provide greater public reporting next week and will deliver its rescheduled 2013 annual report.

Separately, other public comments raised broader concerns about indictments of officers in unrelated federal cases. Speakers expressed a range of views: some urged calm and confidence in oversight bodies, while others described a perceived lack of internal controls and political interference in accountability.

No formal personnel actions were taken during the open meeting; the commission later voted to move certain matters into closed session (item 5) and separately voted under San Francisco Administrative Code section 67.12A about disclosure of closed session discussion. The OCC investigation is ongoing and will proceed through the office's normal investigative processes.