Police Commission - June 10, 2020 - Minutes
The Police Commission of the City and County of San Francisco met via videoconference at 5:40 p.m.
PRESENT: Commissioners Taylor, DeJesus, Elias, Brookter, Hamasaki
Commissioner Elias made the following statement:
“I want to take a moment to apologize to the deaf and hard of hearing community and all those who worked on creating the DGO that was on our agenda last week. I understand that when last week’s meeting started, we did not have a signed language interpreter available so that members of the deaf and hard of hearing community could engage and follow along with our meeting until half way through our very long meeting that we were able to procure an interpreter. Additionally, people who’ve worked on this DGO or who had a vested interest in this topic who intended to speak during public comment were on hold for more than three hours. By the time we were able to discuss this DGO, most of them had given up. This is just unacceptable. What’s even worse is that the process to implement the DGO began in 2017 and three years later, it has still not been finalized. While the Commission is somewhat to blame for the lack of diligence in improving this DGO, it’s squarely attributable to SFPD, the Chief, and Director Maguire. So we should all bear the responsibility for these unreasonable delay that occurred during this process. It is a huge failure on our part and, the Chief and Director Maguire, the buck has to stop with you and we need to do better. So, again, I want to apologize to Inspector Flores who took the time from being deployed out in the field dealing with the riots, or, excuse me, the protest to call in, his courageous daughter, the deaf and hard of hearing community, as well as those who worked effortlessly on this DGO or had a vested interest in this area. Again, we need to do better. I know that myself and other Commissioners are dedicated to doing that. So, again, we apologize.”
Commissioner Hamasaki apologized for letting his frustrations show in a way that he was not proud of in the last meeting and apologized to everybody involved and stated that we can all do better and thanked the deaf and hard of hearing community for their hard work and stated that he is excited to continue to move this forward.
REPORTS TO THE COMMISSION
a. Chief’s Request
- Weekly crime trends (Provide an overview of offenses, including violent crime trends and strategies, occurring in San Francisco.)
- Significant Incidents (Chief’s report will be limited to a brief description of the significant incidents. Commission discussion will be limited to determining whether to calendar any of the incidents the Chief describes for a future commission meeting.)
- Commission Inquiries (Provide a brief follow-up to inquiries made by Commissioners during previous meetings to include: SB 1421 requests)
- Presentation of the Safe Streets for All 1st Quarter 2020 Report
Chief Scott reported on the weekly crime trends: Overall part 1 crime down 41 percent, year to date down 15 percent; Overall part 1 violent crime down 3 percent, year to date down 13 percent; Homicides up 11 percent, total of 19 year to date. There was one homicide in June and 4 homicides in May; 10 of the 19 cases have been cleared. Gun violence down 15 percent, a total of 43 injury causing incidents resulting in 44 victims. Overall part 1 property crimes down 28 percent. Auto burglaries down 30 percent; Property crimes, up 30 percent in burglary, auto theft up 17 percent, arson up 53 percent. The Chief then gave an overview of shooting incidents and talked about strategies the Department is doing to address gun violence. The Chief then talked about critical incidents and civil unrests in the city.
The Chief also talked about the post from the POA to MTA regarding transporting officers during demos.
Commander Rob O’Sullivan presented the SB 1421 weekly report.
Commander Dan Perea presented the Safe Streets for All 1st Quarter 2020 Report.
Motion by Commissioner Elias, second by Commission Hamasaki to separate line item 1(a) from line items 1(b) and (c). Approved 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT on Line Item 1(a) only:
Wendy called to disband the police force in favor for community safety.
Kaitlyn, SF resident, spoke of concerns regarding disciplining a non-binary officer and asked to abolish the SFPD.
Nani called to dismantle the police and abolish the SFPD and spoke of how her twin brother was murdered and no one has reached out to her.
Logan Richards called demanding to abolish the police.
Jacklyn called to defund the police.
Tim Monganeli called to reject the budget and to dismantle and abolish the SFPD.
Maryann wanted to address the poor handling of situations by SFPD and harassment of homeless people.
Ed called to defund the SFPD.
Thomas called to talk about police terrorizing people of color and for SFPD to be abolished.
Gracie called to disband the police and how she lives in fear of the police.
Sam called to abolish the SFPD and invest in services that serve underserved communities and communities of color.
Mimi Klausner spoke of how the Commission is an ineffective oversight for the police and vote no on the budget.
Magick Altman called and glad that the people are calling to disband the police.
Unidentified spoke of how Chief Scott was lying and spoke of how SFPD cannot be reformed and should be disbanded.
Francisco Dacosta spoke of how we need to choose a military force or choose community policing.
Unidentified called to defund and abolish the police and to use the funds to provide housing and programs that will make the city safer.
Iman Latiff spoke of an incident with Mohamed and how the SFPD used their powers at a peaceful protest.
Will called to defund the SFPD and spoke of the SFPOA tweet.
Haden Keith called to defund the SFPD.
Jen Polluck called to vote no on the budget and invest in community resources.
Peter spoke of mass arrests in the Mission and asked about less-lethal weapons that SFPD uses.
Elena spoke in regards to reforms and mass arrests.
Don spoke of concerns and spoke of need for action.
Dusty Rodriguez abolish the police.
Elizabeth spoke of how she saw two black people detained by 13 police officers and how her friends are afraid to call the cops.
Jason Cruda spoke of concerns on how the police is above the law and cannot be trusted.
Unidentified spoke of how to defund the police.
Heather White spoke of the Chief’s report and defund the police.
Unidentified spoke of the Chief’s report and how police cannot be trusted.
Unidentified spoke of how SFPD has a long history and spoke of Joseph Cabillo and that he should be off the force and how the police is not helping.
Unidentified called to disband and abolish the police.
Dusty defund the police.
Kate spoke of how disgusted she is with the violence on the part of the police.
Anna spoke of being afraid to call the police and dissatisfied with the Chief’s report.
Katie Walker spoke of police violence and disband the police and invest in housing and education.
Unidentified spoke of police departments do not work to protect and keep the communities safe.
Greg called to abolish the police.
Paul called to defund the police department.
Danielle McVeigh called to defund the police.
Unidentified spoke of being arrested during a protest.
Becka called to demand justice for the community and to defund the police.
Pamela called to abolish the police.
Michelle Wilcox spoke of military actions against protestors and that reform is not an option.
Wylie called to abolish the police and that reforms will not be sufficient.
Juana called to vote no on the budget and abolish SFPD.
Fiona called to vote no on the budget and abolish the SFPD.
Alexander Post spoke of useless reforms and how SFPD arrested protestors and to defund the SFPD.
Jessica appalled by the Chief’s report for arresting protestors for the possibility of violence.
Unidentified discussed concerns.
Unidentified stated that she has no confidence with SFPD and spoke of concerns regarding the actions of Lt. Burke.
Unidentified called to disband and abolish the police.
Unidentified spoke of police committing violence against the citizens of the city.
Unidentified spoke of police brutality and to abolish the police.
Unidentified spoke of how the police are not safe.
Ryan spoke to defund the police and shift funding to programs that better suit community needs.
Olivia Parks spoke of police violence and to disband the police and invest in the communities.
Maria comment (read by Sgt. Youngblood) spoke of concerns regarding the Commission actions and concerns about the meeting last week in regards to the deaf and hard of hearing policies and discussed concerns about John Hamasaki.
Cole spoke of fear of the police.
Dole is ashamed of the SFPD and the Chief’s report about arresting protestors.
Heidi discussed concerns of the Chief’s report.
John asked the Chief and the Commission to ask themselves what really matters to them and spoke of how police attacks the mentally ill.
Sasha spoke of the Chief’s report regarding police dishonesty and how the police is out of control.
Robert spoke and how the Chief is untrustworthy.
Voice of reason from District 7 spoke of police shooting unarmed black victims.
Rand spoke of actions by police.
Emily spoke of how SFPD is failing the community.
Alex spoke of black and brown communities being terrorized by the police.
Commissioner Taylor read the Mayor’s policy regarding discrimination and harassment
Jessie spoke of the handling of protestors by the SFPD and that the department should be disbanded.
Shaida spoke of how she disagree with Chief Scott and how she has witnessed how officers treat black and brown individuals.
Rebecca Ruiz spoke of Idriss Stelli and how he was shot during mental crisis.
Unidentified spoke of how the SFPD budget can house the entire homeless population.
Cesar afraid of being raped and assaulted and how he does not trust the police.
Unidentified spoke of the technology and how the meeting is not working.
Danny Montoya spoke of concerns regarding the Chief’s report.
Professor of medicine called to defund and abolish the SFPD.
Unidentified spoke of gun violence and the rise in crimes.
Stevie disgusted by SFPD actions over the past weeks.
Francis disband the police.
Unidentified abolish SFPD.
Donna spoke of how SFPD are racists and that they don’t follow the reforms and still stop black and brown people.
Juliet called to abolish the police and how she is scared to call 911.
Kim called to disband and stated that the police is corrupt.
Unidentified spoke of institutional racism and to defund SFPD.
Jean Yeats spoke of the Chief’s report and that reform of SFPD does not work.
Max Patterson asked if the Chief is still on the line.
Jeremy Miller spoke of his love for the community for taking a stand and how police is outdated and that it should be abolished.
Unidentified spoke of concerns of the Chief’s report.
Unidentified spoke to defund and abolish the police.
Gabriel spoke of credibility problems with the Chief’s report.
Diana spoke of arrests made and arresting a member of the press.
Ryan Jacobsen called to abolish the SFPD.
Claudia spoke of the lack of professionalism of the police and abolish the police.
Unidentified spoke of his participation in the protest.
Harvey Williams spoke to abolish the police.
Martin spoke of the Chief’s report and how the protest was peaceful.
Unidentified defund the police.
Unidentified spoke of the Chief’s report and the statement made by the Chief regarding the arrests of protestors.
Unidentified spoke of how he was in the protest and how protestors were cornered and arrested.
Unidentified spoke of the Chief’s report.
Judd Gill spoke of the Chief’s report being false.
Unidentified abolish the police.
Dave spoke of concerns regarding the Chief’s report.
Tatiana spoke of the crime trends and racism.
Unidentified called regarding the Chief’s report regarding peaceful protestors.
Unidentified spoke of the Chief’s report not making sense.
b. DPA Director’s Report
- Report on recent DPA activities, and announcements
Director Henderson gave an update on year-to-date stats: 370 cases opened cases and 431 closed cases year to date; 377 open cases and pending; 18 sustained cases; 35 cases beyond nine months ; 19 cases mediated. There are almost 20 open cases regarding the protests. He further went on to give an update on SB 1421 cases produced and released.
c. Commission Reports
- Commission President’s Report
- Commissioners’ Reports
Commissioner Taylor reported on asking the Chief to begin bias testing at the hiring stage and ongoing bias testing. She also asked to convene a working group on the Early Intervention System and asked the Chief for a detail presentation on EIS which is scheduled for July 8. She also asked Commissioner DeJesus to cosponsor the working group with her on the EIS System. She also asked Commissioner Elias to work on a resolution that would limit the amount of time that DGOs stays in concurrence because as of now, there is no time limit on it and this is tentatively on the agenda for a vote on July 1st along with DGO on Community Policing will be on for a vote.
Commissioner Brookter thanked the stakeholders, community members and leaders and requested, due to injustice, systematic harm that’s been taking place across the country, he would like to see a Black Live Matter poster placed on all the District Stations to show solidarity.
Commissioner Elias stated that she had been working on the 1421 portal and is following up with DPA and the Department to get the online portal up soon. Commissioner Elias also reported that the Chief has drafted and she will be reviewing and working on revising the Use of Force log to include incidents even where non-injury occurs and that it should be ready by end of July.
d. Commission announcements and scheduling of items identified for consideration at future Commission Meetings.
Commissioner Hamasaki asked the department to begin bi-annual reporting of officers reporting officers’ misconduct and have it on the agenda in three weeks. He also asked the Commission to gather data on misconduct settlements on how much the city pay out in misconduct settlements and to provide that information to the Board of Supervisors to offset that with the budget. He asked the City Attorney for the Commission to report out regarding closed session and that the City Attorney will provide an Opinion.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Unidentified spoke regarding best practice question by the Commissioner and stated to disband the police
Unidentified spoke regarding early detection systems for officers.
Daniel spoke of hanging posters at district stations.
Unidentified spoke of concerns.
Christiana spoke of the black live matter poster and how that request is superficial.
Unidentified read an essay by her son regarding police abuse and Officer Cabillo.
Unidentified spoke regarding health care workers do their work without a gun and police should be disarmed.
Unidentified spoke of officers reporting on one another.
Unidentified spoke regarding bias testing.
Unidentified spoke that all SFPD staff should be assessed for bias and trauma.
Unidentified spoke regarding the black lives matter poster.
Gilbert spoke regarding Joshua Cabillo.
Paulette Brown called in concerning her son, Aubrey Abrakasa, and wants justice for her son and asked if the investigator can call her.
Miku asked to not put the BLM posters without making meaningful change.
Marisa spoke regarding the budget.
PRESENTATION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFFING ANALYSIS REPORT
Executive Director McGuire spoke regarding the background of the report and introduced Matrix Consultants Richard and Ian Brady to present the report.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Unidentified asking to defund the police immediately.
Unidentified would like what the overall role of the police should be.
Unidentified asked how staff could be utilized and how to cut staff.
Kevin commented on the staffing report and how there’s 89 officers assigned to tactical.
Unidentified spoke of how the police force are racists and police are not properly trained to respond to anything.
Unidentified spoke on how the Matrix model is incorrect and that there is no need for increased staffing.
Unidentified stated the model is based on what is happening today and how this model is used in other scenarios.
Unidentified stated that police should be defunded.
Unidentified spoke regarding school resource officers.
Unidentified spoke regarding answers made are vague and that the study is irrelevant to the current police situation.
Unidentified spoke regarding the Mission and Tenderloin data and that response time is horrible.
Sara stated that the staffing report doesn’t represent the needs of the community and spoke of slower response time in some communities.
Taylor stated that the Commission is being hostile against the callers and that officers do not have qualifications to help the homeless.
Unidentified spoke regarding data collection.
Unidentified thanked the commission for their patience with public comment and how to transition staffing into true social workers.
Robert stated that additional 200 officers are unnecessary and should be eliminated.
Unidentified spoke on how social workers potentially ride along SFPD and how that will destroy the trust.
Jason Wyman spoke of how a model is good on values it is built upon.
Unidentified spoke regarding the staffing and asked the commission to listen to the people.
Unidentified spoke to hold off on the budget and defund the police.
Unidentified asked the commission to look at increased rate of crimes.
Mia Parks recommended an audit of the community policing general order.
Raina spoke to defund the police.
Gabe disagree with increasing the staff and reallocating skills to social workers.
Unidentified spoke regarding the Dante King article in the Examiner and asked to abolish the police.
Unidentified should not increase staffing for the MTA.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE PROPOSED SFPD 2020/2021 BUDGET
Director Patrick Leung, Chief Financial Officer, presented the proposed SFPD 2020/2021 budget.
Motion by Commissioner Elias to reject the revision of the proposed budget, second by Commissioner Hamasaki. Approved 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Sandra do not support the funding of SFPD.
Unidentified spoke to defund the police now.
Unidentified spoke of not needing money for reforms and staffing.
Erin spoke to reject the budget and to dismantle the police department.
Paul spoke of concerns.
Jason Cruda spoke of the budget of the Sheriff’s and the Department’s equaling to almost a billion dollars.
Unidentified spoke to reject the budget.
Unidentified spoke to reject the police budget.
Maryanne asked to defund the police.
David spoke of money should be used for housing for everybody.
Juliana Morris stated that police violence is a public crisis every day and asked to defund the police and invest in housing and education.
Hanna Blair stated that there are 138 caller to defund the police.
Adriana Camerena calling on behalf of Luis Gongora Pats and asked to vote no on the budget.
Unidentified called to disband the police department and not approve the budget.
Unidentified spoke of the school district budget being cut and the $7 million SFPD budget can fix the school district budget and cover health care services.
Mike stated that it is ridiculous to spend so much money in SFPD and defund the SFPD without the help of the Commission.
Shawn defund the SFPD and disarm officers.
Matilda Moore defund the SFPD.
Elena spoke of concerns of the Mayor’s reparation to the Black community and asked that budget be cut and defund the police.
Unidentified stated the real criminals are the rich and stated that they will not be murdered by cops and cops should be disarmed.
Shawnty asked to reject the budget.
Ali budget cuts is not enough. Police should be defunded.
Jesse Willett defund the police and vote no on the budget.
Unidentified vote no on the budget.
Sara dismantle police and invest in social services.
Unidentified discussed concerns regarding the POA.
Dillon spoke of calls of service data and asked if we need to respond to violent acts with a gun.
Sasha thanked the commission for moving to vote no on the budget and the community wants to fire cops to feel safer.
Jenny vote no on this budget and to make deep cuts with a goal to dismantle the SFPD.
Unidentified abolish the police.
Unidentified stated it is time to abolish the police.
Marie Cartier vote no on the budget and to put pressure on the POA to disband.
Unidentified disband SFPD and redirect all fund away from SFPD.
Peter asked why does SFPD need unmarked vehicles. The City should provide housing to homeless by defunding the police.
Carrie Shift vote no on the budget and abolish SFPD.
Daniel Harris vote no on the budget.
Unidentified black lives matter and abolish SFPD.
Unidentified disappointed at Commissioners conduct.
Alex stated budget cuts is inadequate.
Christine spoke of callers have spoken and would love reduction of services from SFPD and that health care services are doing the work for the communities.
Unidentified urged to step up and step down and passing the baton to someone who will actually do the work and defund and abolish policing.
Hanza spoke of abolition.
Gracie spoke of failure to reform the department and no more police officers on the MTA and disband the police department.
Charlotte spoke of many traumatized by police and to reject the budget and abolish SFPD.
Unidentified reject the budget and abolish SFPD.
Christina spoke of police brutality.
Jeffrey thanked the Commission and reject the budget.
Mike Munoz stated the budget cut is inadequate and to defund the police.
Unidentified stated that the department is not working with the commission and abolish and disband the police.
Totura begging to defund the SFPD.
Curtis vote not on the budget and send money back to the community.
Anush read Martin Luther King’s letter and stated that there is no such thing as a good cop.
Unidentified do not approve funding for the SFPD.
Shawn applaud everyone who spoke in defunding the police and disarmed and disband the police.
Francisco spoke of concerns for the Department asking for more money for reform and vote no on the budget.
Unidentified asked the Commission to resign for lack of compassion and competence.
Unidentified stated police are unsafe and brutalize communities.
Christina vote no on the budget.
Unidentified who does the SFPD protect.
Unidentified discussed concerns.
Unidentified defund the police and abolish it.
Unidentified make major cuts in the police department.
Commissioner Taylor thanked all the callers and explained that the Commission does not have the power to defund the police.
Motion by Commissioner Elias to reject the budget, second by Commissioner Hamasaki. 5-0
PUBLIC COMMENT
Unidentified spoke regarding the hearing of Jessica Williams and spoke of concerns about the journalist being detained.
Unidentified spoke of corruption of SFPD and how it’s been going on for a long time and spoke of concerns of Jason Cherniss.
Unidentified discussed concerns on how the Commission treated public comment.
Unidentified spoke of how SFPD needs to be disbanded and disarmed and how the community does not want SFPD.
Unidentified spoke of the early intervention system.
Unidentified spoke that the SFPD be abolished and defunded.
Unidentified spoke of starting to do real work and defund and dismantle the police department.
Peter asked about training of SFPD around vehicles.
Unidentified spoke in regards to the murder of Jessica Williams.
Unidentified spoke of the comment of not having the authority to disband the police.
Unidentified spoke of the Commission’s power in not having the authority to defund police.
Steven spoke of ideas on how to defund the police.
Commissioner Hamasaki thanked the callers and that defunding the police is a goal.
Public Comment received via email:
Liz Henry wrote that peaceful marches did not warrant the military gear and tactics used and supports defunding the police.
Alice Duesdieker wrote to defund, dismantle and abolish the police.
Kayle Barnes wrote to defund the police and investing resources into agencies and departments such as DCYF.
Justice for Luis Gongora Pat wrote to ask the Commission to vote no on the police budget and not approve the budget until there is a community-led process of divestment from the police department.
Chelsea Sellin wrote to ask the Commission to vote no on the police budget.
Robert Peters demanded that SFPD be abolished.
Kristina Melendez wrote to abolish and dismantle the SFPD and SF Sheriffs Office and invest in communities and reallocate resources to CBOs who are qualified to respond to those in crisis.
Sarah Bourne wrote to vote no on the budget.
Skye wrote to reject the budget and defund and dismantle the SFPD.
Maria Harmon wrote that she will be filing a complaint with the Sunshine Task Force regarding the deaf and hard of hearing DGO discussion at the beginning of the meeting as it was not agendized. She wrote further about concerns regarding the behavior of Commissioner Hamasaki at the June 3rd meeting.
Joanna Kang wrote to defund the police.
Emily Shumway wrote asked to reallocate funding away from the police department and put that funding into social services to meet the needs of the poorest in the city.
Stephanie Wessels demanded to abolish the police.
Joe Tamayo wrote to slash the SFPD budget and instead use resources towards empowering the community with non-police solutions and investing in medics, social workers and crisis workers.
Nora Anise Brock asked to defund the police.
Christina Zhou wrote to reduce SFPD’s budget and allocating funds to social services and changing the power structures and culture that allows abuse of power to go unchecked.
Hiya Swanhuyser wrote to not approve the budget.
Suzanne Lewis demanded that SFPD budget be rejected and a new plan drawn up that moves in the direction of a swift defunding of the SFPD.
Sofiya Taskova requested to reduce SFPD funding significantly.
Cayla Lewis asked to defund the police.
Peiley Lau supports Supervisor Walton’s resolution to defund the police.
Alexander Kasas wrote that rather than defunding, fundamental rethink of policing with a concerted focus on demilitariszation/de-escalation alongside aggressive gun control measures and a stronger safety net for the mentally ill.
Closed Session is put over to a later date.
CLOSED SESSION
PERSONNEL EXCEPTION. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b) (1) and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(b) and Penal Code Section 832.7: Discussion and possible action to accept or reject settlement agreement filed in Case No. ALW IAD 2019-0015, or take other action, if necessary (ACTION)
PERSONNEL EXCEPTION. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b) (1) and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(b) and Penal Code Section 832.7: Assignment of Commissioner for the taking of evidence in disciplinary charges filed in Case No. IAD 2019-0139
PERSONNEL EXCEPTION. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(b) and Penal Code Section 832.7:
Status and calendaring of pending disciplinary cases
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner DeJesus, second by Commissioner Elias to adjourn the meeting. Approved 5-0.
Thereafter, the meeting was adjourned at 3:08 a.m.
