OCC reports lower complaint intake and details on sustained cases, officer-involved shootings

The Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC) presented its second-quarter statistical report on Sept. 11, noting a modest decline in complaints and detailing outcomes and program activities. Director Hicks reported that during the quarter the OCC opened 332 new cases and closed 350, resulting in a net decline in pending cases compared with the prior year.

Highlights and numbers: Director Hicks said the sustained-case rate for the quarter was 4% (down from 5% in 2012), with six of seven sustained complaints involving neglect of duty; one sustained allegation involved failure to collect traffic-stop data. The OCC also reported investigating five officer-involved shootings during the quarter; four of those resulted in the death of the suspect, and three remained under investigation at quarter end.

Operational notes: The OCC noted staff vacancies and increased investigator caseloads (21 per investigator versus 19 last year), slightly longer average closure times (from 161 to 172 days), and growing mediation activity (12 cases in the quarter). Director Hicks highlighted policy work mandated by the city charter on use-of-force protocols and said a department bulletin implemented OCC recommendations on reporting when an individual complains of persistent pain.

Follow-up: Commissioners asked for additional breakdowns (for example, the types of complaints less likely to be mediated). Director Hicks agreed to provide more detailed categorical information on cases that officers declined to mediate and said staff would follow up on the request.

The commission thanked the OCC for the report; no formal votes were taken on OCC matters at the meeting.