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Chief reports flat overall crime, pilots for officer cameras and new CIT training
Summary
SFPD chief reported violent crime down about 9% and overall Part‑1 crime roughly flat; department is piloting officer cameras (vendors offered sample cameras) and preparing a Crisis Intervention Team curriculum modeled on Memphis to be finalized within about 30 days.
At the Commission meeting the San Francisco Police Department chief briefed commissioners on recent crime figures and several programmatic initiatives. The chief said violent crime continues to be down about 9% while certain property crimes (auto burglary/theft) have increased about 6%; overall Part‑1 crime was described as roughly flat, up about 2–3% compared with the prior period.
On accountability and evidence, the chief said the department has vetted vendors for officer‑worn cameras and has asked for policy input. Two vendors offered to provide 15 cameras each for a pilot; the department intends to start pilots with plainclothes sergeants and is reviewing camera policies drawn from Oakland and Albuquerque to adapt rather than start from scratch. The chief emphasized that a clear usage policy is essential and that cameras can protect officers and provide reliable evidence in court.
The department also reported work on Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. The chief said staff met on CIT, issued an initial department bulletin to guide response to persons in mental‑health crisis and aims to finalize a Memphis‑model curriculum within roughly 30 days that would be referred for certification and piloted at Tenderloin, Mission and Southern stations.
The chief further said the FBI had been contacted to review recent investigations and that the department would notify the Commission when that review concludes. Commissioners encouraged the chief to consult the Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC) while drafting camera and related policies.
Quotes: “We looked at 3 cameras. Two of the vendors offered to give us 15 cameras each, for a pilot,” the chief said. Commissioner Jane Slaughter urged consultation with OCC during policy development.
Why it matters: Decisions about body‑worn and undercover cameras, and about CIT training, affect evidence collection, civilian oversight, officer practices and budget priorities. The Commission asked for background on cost, policy trade‑offs and comparative city data to inform future deliberations.
Provenance: Chief’s report and discussion began at SEG 470 and continued through commissioner Q&A at SEG 642–649.
