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Civil-rights groups criticize SFPD report on JTTF, say Safe San Francisco ordinance demands more transparency
Summary
Coalition members, including the Bill of Rights Defense Committee and CAIR, said the SFPD’s briefing on Joint Terrorism Task Force activities lacked promised detail and advance notice; they cited the Safe San Francisco Civil Rights Ordinance’s transparency requirements and asked the commission to ensure full public reporting.
Representatives of civil-rights and community organizations told the Police Commission they were disappointed by a brief report on San Francisco Police Department activity with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), saying it lacked the substance and advance notice they had been promised under the Safe San Francisco Civil Rights Ordinance.
Tina Simha of the Coalition for a Safe San Francisco said coalition members had met with the chief and city officials and submitted a June 8 letter outlining information that should be included in the public report. Coalition members said they received only a short presentation and were not given the promised detail on the number of JTTF investigations, use of confidential informants or funds expended in JTTF-related activity.
Nadia, a legal fellow with the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, said the report did not include key items required by Department General Order 8.1, such as counts of San Francisco participation in JTTF investigations and a description of resources used. Rachel Roberts of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said her organization received more than 50 complaints about voluntary FBI questioning of American Muslims in 2012 and urged fuller public disclosure.
Chief Sur responded that SFPD members assigned to the JTTF remain under San Francisco chain of command and must follow department policies; he said some information is constrained by the FBI and federal processes but that the bureau order makes it clear San Francisco officers must default to SFPD policies if conflicts arise. He also said the department will continue to improve local reporting and invited continued dialogue with the coalition.
Advocates asked the commission to press for more comprehensive implementation of the Safe San Francisco Civil Rights Ordinance’s reporting requirements; the commission did not take a formal vote on additional disclosures during the meeting.
