Police auditor delays taser review; raises concerns about federal ICE practices and transparency
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Summary
The Independent Police Auditor told the commission the taser-deployment review is in draft and likely to be presented in March; the auditor contrasted local police practices with ICE operations and said recommendations could include clarifying department policy to ensure deployments meet legal standards.
The Independent Police Auditor told the Police Accountability Commission that a draft review of taser deployments is not yet complete and needs review by the police chief and the city attorney before a public presentation. The auditor said he hopes to present final findings to the commission in March.
The auditor used his time to contrast Davis law-enforcement practices with recent federal immigration enforcement operations, raising concerns about training, identification and transparency at ICE. "I've been working on that report," the auditor said, and added that the federal agency has relaxed hiring and training standards and that body-worn camera use is optional for ICE agents — factors he linked to transparency and accountability risks.
Commissioners asked whether the auditor’s review checks compliance with local policy and applicable case law. The auditor said the taser review examines whether deployments comport with department policy and with constitutional standards and Ninth Circuit case law guidance; he noted a recommendation could be to clarify local policy to reduce ambiguity for officers.
The auditor also said some public narratives about federal incidents have been corrected after video emerged, underscoring the need for transparency and careful documentation. He invited follow-up questions and anticipates bringing a draft to the commission after internal review and city attorney clearance.
No formal action was taken on the taser review during the meeting; the commission awaits a future presentation of the auditor’s findings.