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Whistleblower program reports 50% uptick in filings; new inspector general office takes shape
Summary
The whistleblower program reported a roughly 50% year‑over‑year rise in reports for the quarter, a 97% closure rate within 90 days, growing AI‑sourced submissions, and coordination with the newly established inspector general office; a public commenter urged review of a closed complaint alleging harassment at DBI.
David Jensen, program manager for San Francisco’s whistleblower program, told the oversight committee the office saw a sharp rise in intake this quarter, from 134 reports in the comparable quarter last year to 202 reports this year — roughly a 50% increase.
Jensen said the program closed 97% of its cases within a 90‑day goal for the quarter and recorded 211 dispositions that resulted in some form of corrective action. “We smashed that at 97% for the last q2,” Jensen said. He described the program’s intake and triage flowchart, the jurisdictional limits set by the city charter and state law, and the program’s practice of requesting additional information from reporters before proceeding.
Commissioners pressed Jensen about appeals avenues for complainants unhappy with closures. Jensen said the charter prevents the office from publicly litigating individual cases and that changing that practice would require a charter amendment; when contact information is available the office notifies reporters of case status and uses a tracking number and portal for anonymous closeouts.
Jensen told commissioners the program is handling novel challenges from AI‑generated or AI‑augmented submissions that can make reports thicker and noisier, requiring staff to separate jurisdictional matters from broader issues. He also described operational support the whistleblower office has provided to stand up the city’s new inspector general office and said the IG will have broader, proactive authorities, including subpoena powers.
During public comment, Jerry Dratler said he filed a whistleblower complaint alleging harassment at the Department of Building Inspection and claimed the harassment had resulted in suicides of inspectors; he asked GOBOC to review how his complaint was handled. Jensen said the charter restricts public discussion of specific active or previously adjudicated cases but offered to meet with liaison members privately to explain process details.
The committee did not vote on policy changes but asked staff to consider whether its 80% closure goal should be amended in light of recent performance and to bring further detail to the next meeting.
