Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Oversight Mediation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
OCC reports steady complaint volume, highlights mediation program
Summary
Office of Citizen Complaints Director Joyce Hicks told the commission OCC opened 794 cases year‑to‑date, sustained 39 matters and facilitated 63 mediations so far this year; the OCC was featured in NACOLE's review for its mediation work.
Joyce Hicks, director of the Office of Citizen Complaints, reported to the Police Commission on Oct. 7 that the OCC has opened 794 cases year‑to‑date compared with 789 during the same period last year and has closed 792.
"This year to date, we have closed 792 cases, so 2 less than we've opened," Hicks said, adding the OCC has sustained 39 cases this year compared with 28 during the same period last year.
Hicks highlighted the OCC's mediation program. She said OCC facilitated 63 mediations this year and 71 mediations last year; OCC was featured in the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) review as one of four agencies whose mediation programs were discussed. Hicks noted OCC provides the second‑largest number of mediations among U.S. civilian oversight agencies, behind New York City.
Hicks described the OCC mediation model: sessions typically include the officer and the complainant alone, supported by two mediators (one licensed attorney and one non‑attorney mediator). She said the complainant may bring a support person but that officers generally participate without union or counsel in the room.
Commissioners praised the program's ability to bring disputing parties together and save resources. Commissioner comments included recognition that the Police Officers Association had cooperated with OCC mediations in some cases and that the program produces positive results when participants engage in the process.
Hicks also described outreach efforts, noting four bilingual investigators recently attended an immigrant‑rights commission meeting to discuss issues including SFPD's proposed tow policy, and she introduced OCC investigators who speak Spanish, Cantonese, Russian and Tagalog.
The OCC director said she will be on a panel at the NACOLE conference in Austin and that information about the review is available on NACOLE's website. The commission offered thanks and encouraged continued outreach.
Next steps: OCC will continue mediation outreach and report back on program outcomes and any changes to intake or outreach strategies.
