OCC director outlines complaint process and mediation program

Joyce Hicks, director of the Office of Citizen Complaints, told the Police Commission the OCC investigates civilian complaints, makes policy recommendations and offers mediation as an alternative to discipline.

"We are the third largest civilian oversight of law enforcement agency in The United States, only surpassed by New York and Chicago," Hicks said, describing the OCC’s origin (a board-of-supervisors–sponsored charter amendment in 1982) and staffing (roughly 35 employees, mostly investigators).

Hicks said the OCC aims to complete investigations within nine months, with limited exceptions up to one year, and applies a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard. She reported OCC intake and resolution data for 2011: roughly 784 complaints received, an 8% reduction from 2010, sustained findings in about 7% of closed cases and roughly 61 mediations (about 7% of closures). She also noted a large share of complainants identified as African American (28%) or Caucasian (35%), and that mediation participation among eligible officers exceeds 90%.

Hicks explained OCC procedures (interviews of complainants, officers and witnesses; subpoena power; site visits) and described language services and case-intake supports for non-English speakers. Commissioners thanked Hicks for the overview and highlighted mediation as an important part of the office’s work.

Commissioners asked follow-up questions about OCC workload and timelines; the commission noted the OCC’s role in improving police-community relations and requested any additional, written statistics for the forthcoming budget discussions.