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DPA and IAD present disciplinary trends; panel recommends DGO updates after review of policy and training failures
Summary
Lieutenant Lisa Springer and DPA representatives presented Q3Q4 2024 Disciplinary Review Board findings identifying top complaint categories (conduct unbecoming, neglect of duty, body-worn camera issues), described select policy/training failures, and recommended updates to towing and reporting DGOs and training improvements.
Lieutenant Lisa Springer of Internal Affairs and DPA chief-of-staff Sharon Wu presented the Disciplinary Review Boards third- and fourth-quarter findings for 2024, summarizing aggregate trends and case-level outcomes.
The presenters said the top categories for IAD cases included conduct unbecoming (36.2% in 2024), failure to appear at the range, and neglect of duty; DPA's trends included neglect of duty and unwarranted action. Springer identified a Q3 policy-failure finding related to vehicle-tow guidance where an expired department bulletin conflicted with a 1996 general order. "Recommendation number 1 from the panel was to update DGO 9.06 to include our updated policies and procedures regarding vehicle tows," she said.
DPA described two training-failure cases, including a 2019 officer-involved shooting in which a sergeant ordered body-worn cameras terminated and DPA concluded there had been procedural errors. DPA recommended clarifying when officers may terminate body-worn cameras and noted that a revised body-worn camera DGO should reduce confusion.
The panel reviewed two in-custody deaths from 2022 involving complex medical and toxicology findings. One death on Treasure Island was associated with methamphetamine and alcohol toxicity combined with exertion and physical restraint; medical examiner mannered the death as undetermined. Presenters said the departments recommendations in those cases were largely procedural and training-focused.
Recommendations to the commission included: (1) issue updated guidance or a new general order on vehicle tows (DGO 9.06) to reconcile outdated bulletins, (2) clarify DGO 5.04 regarding reporting when private-citizen requested arrests are investigated without probable cause, and (3) ensure targeted retraining where officers did not apply available CIT techniques or misapplied body-worn camera rules.
Commissioners requested additional breakdowns for categories such as "conduct unbecoming" and "neglect of duty" so the public can better understand what behaviors are most common in those buckets. Presenters said they would provide more detailed follow-up and noted the next DRB report is scheduled for May 6.
