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Deputy chief says Gang Task Force not involved in Thanksgiving incident as commission reviews unit—s work
Summary
Deputy Chief Tabak presented a 30-year history and performance overview of the San Francisco Police Department—s Gang Task Force (GTF), citing expanded vetting, training and gun-seizure numbers. Public testimony and commissioners pressed for transparency after a Bayview Hunters Point incident; the commission said the OCC investigation will proceed.
Deputy Chief Morris Tabak told the Police Commission on Dec. 12 that the department—s Gang Task Force was not on duty and was not involved in a controversial Thanksgiving incident that had drawn heavy public concern. Tabak delivered a detailed overview of GTF—s origin, staffing and tactics and defended the unit—s record of seizures and arrests.
Tabak recounted the unit—s evolution from the late 1970s after the Golden Dragon homicide to an expanded, vetted team formed in 2004 to focus on the city—s most violent offenders. He said the unit—s size has increased to about 43 officers, described a new vetting process that reviews complaint histories and emphasized a renewed focus on judicial review for search warrants and arrests. Tabak said the unit accounts for a large share of the city—s gun seizures and presented figures showing the unit—s contributions to those statistics.
"Gang task force was not involved," Tabak said emphatically when asked about the Thanksgiving matter, adding that no GTF members were working that holiday. He reiterated that the OCC (Office of Citizen Complaints) and the department—s internal processes will complete investigations where warranted.
Commissioners pressed Tabak on selection, training and diversity. Commissioner Campos said transparency about how members are chosen and trained helps the public understand the unit—s role; Tabak replied that members are selected for expertise, writing ability and a review of complaint history and that many officers rotate in on loan assignments. Tabak described cultural-competency and gang-seminar training and said the unit—s membership is ethnically diverse, which he said helps operations across different neighborhoods.
Public commenters reiterated concerns and conflicting accounts. Several Bayview residents told the commission they believe task-force officers were present at a Thanksgiving-day incident; other community members and advocacy groups asked that the commission and OCC examine departmental policy on administrative duties for officers during investigations. William Zut and Vivian Donahue described personal encounters with officers and urged full investigation and accountability.
Chief Chi Fong and commissioners said they trust the OCC process and will seek to make information available where possible. Commissioner Marshall described the matter as a high priority and said the commission expected rapid follow-up from OCC.
The commission did not take formal action on this item during the meeting but confirmed it will continue oversight through the OCC investigation and a closed-session item already on the agenda.
Next steps: OCC will continue its investigation and the commission will be updated; commissioners asked for additional reports on selection, training and diversity metrics for the Gang Task Force.
