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Office of Citizen Complaints reports higher mediation rates, seeks budgeted positions
Summary
OCC director reported a 7% proposed budget increase for FY2008-09 and an uptick in mediated cases and case closures, while sustained-finding rates remain below historical averages; commissioners asked about staffing, caseload distribution, and training for volunteer mediators.
Director Hicks presented the Office of Citizen Complaints' second-quarter statistical report and budget update at the Aug. 6 Police Commission meeting.
Hicks said the mayor's proposed FY2008-09 budget includes a $4.2 million allocation for OCC, an increase of about $300,000 (roughly 7%) over the previous year. The increase would fund investigator and clerical position changes and move the office toward a full complement of 18 budgeted investigators; six investigator vacancies remain in the current staffing plan (SEG 1026-1034; SEG 1068-1074).
Statistically, OCC opened and closed a higher number of cases in the quarter than in prior years; however, the sustained-finding rate fell below historical averages (around 4% sustained in the six-month period versus historical 8–10%). Hicks said 62% of closed cases were investigated within six months but that sustained cases often took longer to complete, with many taking more than nine months (SEG 1078-1090; SEG 1100-1102).
Hicks outlined outreach and mediation work: the agency mediated 16 cases in the quarter (an increase), expanded its volunteer mediator pool and conducted multiple community presentations and station outreach events. Commissioners sought details about mediator training and the quality-control measures for case allocation; Hicks said she would provide particulars on mediator qualifications and that weekly strategic case-management meetings are being used to even caseloads among investigators (SEG 995-1007; SEG 1286-1300).
Commissioners raised concerns about uneven investigator caseloads and departure/coverage for policy analysts; Hicks said performance plans were instituted and hiring was underway to address workload balance.
The commission thanked Hicks for progress on mediation and case closures and asked for follow-up information on mediator training, the distribution of investigators' caseloads and the status of remaining vacancies.
