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OCC seeks approval of a $4.2M budget amid mediation gains; department and community move to implement language-access policy
Summary
The Office of Citizen Complaints proposed a $4.2 million budget with a roughly $330,000 cut and warned that further cuts would force layoffs and strain a successful mediation program; SFPD and community groups outlined implementation of DGO 5.20 (language access), including brochures, training video and language-line statistics.
The Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC) asked the Police Commission to approve a proposed budget of about $4.2 million that reflects approximately $330,000 in midyear reductions and the elimination of several vacant positions.
OCC Director Joyce Hicks warned that a further $330,000 contingency cut would require eliminating filled positions, including a line investigator and an attorney, increasing caseloads and potentially reducing the office's mediation capacity. Hicks said the OCC ended last year with 71 mediations, a roughly 50 percent increase over the prior period, and that the mediation program's success is due in part to a high officer-cooperation rate and a dedicated attorney position.
Commissioners praised the mediation program and urged the OCC to present a full briefing at a future meeting. Several commissioners said they would advocate to preserve mediation staffing when the budget is discussed with the mayor's office and Board of Supervisors.
On language access, Captain Mario Gonzalez and Officer Lisa Torres described steps to implement DGO 5.20. They said the department has produced a reference guide for officers, roll-call training, dual-handset telephones at district stations, and is finalizing a training video and community brochure in five languages. Officer Torres provided annual figures for the language-line service: an annual cost of $1,225,303 (an increase of $173,780 from the prior year), 27,617 contacts with limited-English-proficient (LEP) persons (an increase of 681), and 483 certified bilingual officers (up 14).
Community advocates from the Language Access Coalition and the Asian Law Caucus praised the collaboration, urged more cell phones or funding for service costs so officers can reach language-line services in the field, and called for culturally competent interpreters, signage and translated forms.
Next steps: the commission will consider the OCC budget for approval next week and requested a mediation program presentation; the department and OCC plan a press event and broader rollout once brochures and training videos are finalized.
