Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Discipline Reform topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission tussles with chief and unions over disciplinary‑process reform and a possible charter amendment
Summary
Commissioners debated subcommittee talks with the POA and city attorney on potential charter amendments affecting disciplinary authority, with some commissioners seeking a formal resolution requiring the chief to vet policy changes before the full commission.
A heated portion of the Feb. 10 meeting centered on whether the chief’s discussions with the Police Officers Association and other parties over disciplinary reforms were properly vetted with the full Police Commission.
Commissioner De Jesus said a charter amendment draft had circulated and that any changes that would remove or reduce commission disciplinary powers should be vetted by the full commission; she announced plans to prepare a resolution requiring the chief to bring proposed changes to the commission for consideration. The chief responded that a draft had been prepared by the city attorney (after an initial draft by the POA's attorney) and provided to a supervisor for further discussion, and he described his role as mediator working to reduce backlog and reach settlements.
Commissioners expressed differing views: some credited the chief for progress in reducing backlog and settling cases; others insisted on formal public vetting before proposals are advanced to the Board of Supervisors or press. Multiple commissioners urged more transparent public hearings and an opportunity for a full commission discussion on structural reforms.
Why it matters: the debate involves the commission’s charter‑mandated oversight role over discipline and how to speed the process without surrendering civilian authority. Commissioners also tied the discussion to recent media coverage and public perceptions about the commission’s effectiveness.
Next steps: Commissioner De Jesus said she will work with the city attorney to prepare a resolution specifying which policy items must be presented to the full commission; the commission agreed to continue discussion and to place related items on future agendas.
