DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
A briefing on the San Antonio Police Department's (SAPD) police reform initiatives
SUMMARY:
The following memo provides an update to the Criminal Justice, Public Safety and Services Committee on the SAPD's police reform initiatives. The initiatives serve to address use of force issues and protect the civil rights of the citizens, and provide enhanced safety for officers.
BACKGROUND:
Recent national events involving high-profile police incidents with the public have been the catalyst for a national discussion on police reform. In reaction to these events, many police departments nation-wide have initiated reviews of their policies, procedures and training practices regarding use of force and the protection of citizens' civil rights.
In the continued effort to improve the San Antonio Police Department, to enhance transparency and the public trust, Chief McManus has taken a proactive approach to augment Department policies and training practices, specifically focusing on officers' use of force and treatment of the public. These efforts include:
* 2008 Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Review
* 2010 Matrix Review
* 2012 Pursuit Policy Change
* 2013 Las Vegas Collaborative Reform Process Report
* 2015 Procedural Justice Training Block
* 2015 The President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing - formed to identify the best means to provide an effective partnership between law enforcement and local communities that reduces crime and increases trust
* 2015 San Diego Department of Justice (DOJ) Report
* 2015 Implementation of the SAPD Open Data Initiative - allows data readily available online for public access regarding Internal Affairs formal and line complaints, use of force incidents, officer involved shooting incidents, police vehicular pursuits, racial profiling data, and Department sworn member demographi...
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