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Oversight offices report backlog reductions and intake increases; ICE-related complaints notable
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Summary
The Office of Police Conduct Review reported large reductions in complaint backlog ages and the creation of a policy and research unit; Internal Affairs outlined progress on historical backlog closure and intake metrics but flagged staffing shortfalls and the need for dedicated expedited-disposition staff.
Two oversight offices presented data to the Community Commission on Police Oversight on March 9 showing progress and continued pressure on complaint-processing systems.
Russell Fujisawa, associate director of the Office of Police Conduct Review, said OPCR reduced the average complaint intake age from 491 days to 139 days and cut average administrative-investigation time from 312 to 145 days over the last year. He described the creation of a policy and research unit that has expanded review-panel analysis and produced new findings about review outcomes and recommendations.
Fujisawa said inquiries and complaints rose in early 2026 and that ICE-related complaints composed a significant share of January complaints, reflecting the federal operation’s impact on oversight workload.
Lily Hastings, representing MPD’s Internal Affairs Division, summarized IA’s workload and recent improvements. She said 120 of 213 historical-backlog cases were in closure status (about 56%), leaving three historical backlog cases pending the completion of investigation. IA reported 42 complaints currently in its intake queue, with an average assignment time of six days and an average routing time of 26 days (the office aims for 3 and 30 days targets respectively).
Both offices warned that staffing constraints, frequent high-volume contact spikes and the operational demands of major public-safety events strain timelines. IA requested dedicated staff for expedited dispositions and highlighted the need for consistent supervisory resources.
Why it matters: The data indicate measurable operational improvement at oversight offices but also show how surge events and federal enforcement activities can sharply increase oversight workloads and complicate timely complaint resolution.
What’s next: Commissioners asked staff to share complaint-tracking information with MPD leadership where legally permitted and to coordinate on follow-up for complaint referrals involving federal agents.
