Police Commission denies motion to dismiss charges against Capt. Gregory Corrales, schedules trial

The San Francisco Police Commission on March 4 denied a motion to dismiss disciplinary charges against Captain Gregory Corrales (case C04-123), concluding the motion was premature and that factual disputes require a hearing. The denial was unanimous.

Counsel for Captain Corrales argued the stipulated newspaper statements cannot, as a matter of law, support charges that his statements compromised or jeopardized department investigations and that the evidentiary record already before the commission was sufficient to rule in the officer’s favor. OCC counsel opposed the motion, saying the commission should hear testimonial evidence providing context for Corrales’ comments and that the statements were made while parallel internal-management and criminal investigations were ongoing.

After parties presented argument, the commission met in closed session and concluded there were triable disputes of fact not resolved by the papers. The commission denied the dismissal motion and instructed staff to set the matter for a trial at the Hall of Justice as soon as scheduling permits, with public notice. Commissioners also moved that the record beyond what was already disclosed in closed session remain confidential.

The commission emphasized that denying the motion was not a finding of guilt or innocence; rather, it was a determination that the allegations warranted a full hearing so evidence and witness testimony could be considered. Counsel and parties were told the commission intends to schedule the trial quickly, subject to notice requirements and availability.