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OCC director reports 746 complaints in 2012 and describes mediation, investigative powers
Summary
Joyce Hicks, director of the Office of Citizen Complaints, told the Police Commission the OCC received 746 complaints in 2012, facilitated 62 mediations and aims to complete investigations within nine months (one‑year legal limit); she reviewed staffing, intake channels and findings rates.
Joyce Hicks, director of the Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC), briefed the Police Commission on the OCC’s role, authority and 2012 caseload at the March 27 meeting in the Mission District.
"The OCC is the third largest civilian oversight of law enforcement agency in The United States," Hicks said, noting the office was created by a board of supervisors charter amendment in 1982 and became operational in 1983. She described the OCC as an independent, civilian agency that investigates complaints against San Francisco police officers and makes policy recommendations to the police commission.
Hicks presented 2012 statistics: the OCC received 746 complaints (a 6% decrease from 2011), facilitated 62 mediations (about 8% of the 799 cases closed last year), sustained allegations in roughly 6% of closed cases, and found proper conduct in 31% of allegations investigated. She described the OCC’s standard of proof (preponderance of the evidence) and its goal to finish investigations within nine months, with a one‑year legal limit in most cases. "Our goal is to complete our investigations within 9 months," she said.
Hicks also reviewed operational details: the OCC staff size (reported as 33 members), subpoena authority to compel testimony and evidence, multi‑lingual intake and outreach (Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Burmese, Tagalog and ASL among spoken/interpreted languages), and options for filing complaints (in person at 25 Van Ness, by phone, email, mail, fax or at district stations). She said the OCC provided mediation as an alternative to discipline and that 90% of eligible officers agreed to mediate last year.
Why it matters: OCC findings can trigger disciplinary action by the chief (up to a 10‑day suspension) or referral to the police commission for more severe discipline. Hicks noted the OCC also issues policy recommendations that can affect department practices.
The presentation closed with an invitation for community members to follow up with senior investigators in the audience and with availability of brochures and intake assistance.
