Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Discipline Reform topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Police commissioners weigh discipline-process reform and possible charter amendment
Summary
Commissioners debated whether to pursue discipline-process reforms via rule changes or a charter amendment, with differing views on timing, stakeholder engagement and whether the commission or the chief should have expanded disciplinary authority. The body agreed to agendize a formal discussion and follow up with staff on process and closed-session items.
Commissioners used the meeting to air competing views over whether discipline-process reform for San Francisco police should be accomplished through stricter internal rules or by seeking a charter amendment.
Commissioner Carol Kingsley and others outlined discussions with the Police Officers Association and the department about making the hearing process more efficient and empowering line supervisors to address misconduct earlier. Commissioner James Slaughter and other members urged caution, saying any charter amendment should be developed with broad stakeholder input (POA, OCC, ACLU, mayor nd Board of Supervisors) and warned that an expedited ballot effort would be premature.
Commissioner (and former chief advocates) argued there are structural problems in the current hearing process — for instance, credibility determinations made by a single hearing officer and then reviewed by commissioners reading transcripts — and that changes might require revisiting hearing roles and appeal paths. Several commissioners suggested a two-part approach: open-session discussion of procedural improvements and a closed-session review of personnel-sensitive matters required by law.
The commission agreed to agendize the discipline discussion in open session, with a closed-session component scheduled as needed for legal and personnel aspects. Commissioners and staff will consult with the city attorney about deadlines and the appropriate procedure to pursue changes, and the commission president said he would coordinate scheduling and the legal framing of the effort.
Next steps: staff to work with the president and city attorney on an agenda that includes both public discussion and the closed-session legal/employee matters; commissioners will schedule follow-up meetings to gather stakeholders and explore the feasibility and content of any proposed charter amendment.
