DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Citizen Advisory Action Board
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance authorizing the following appointments to the Citizen Advisory Action Board:
Nadia Islam
Jesus Diaz
Judy Razo
Dr. Anika Smith
Shelley Baillargeon
A priority of the City's during the 2009 collective bargaining negotiations and included within the final agreement was an increase in citizen participation within the citizen complaint process and internal police investigations. Additionally, how citizens were selected was amended to remove the SAPOA ability to strike candidates for consideration prior to City Council selection. The Chief's Advisory Action Board (CAAB) hears investigations on complaints made against police officers for misconduct, use of force and violations of the SAPD general manual.
During these hearings, seven citizens and seven uniformed officers are presented details of the Internal Affairs investigation, question the officers and/or the complainants and recommend whether or not the complaint is founded or unfounded. The uniform officers and citizens take separate votes on whether a complaint is founded or unfounded. In the cases where a complaint is founded, both groups (uniform and citizen) make separate recommendations of discipline to the Police Chief. The Police Chief makes all final determinations on discipline. Involving a diverse set of citizens in the review of complaints against police officers enhances the transparency of the disciplinary process. Having seven citizens with seven officers allows for the shared discussion of an incident which results in a thorough review.
Applicants were interviewed by a four-person panel, which consisted of Deputy City Manager Erik Walsh, Chief of Police William McManus, Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Provencio and Captain Brian Reyes. The recommended list of appointees includes four females and one male and...
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