December 6, 2024 Meeting Minutes

The Sheriff’s Oversight Board of the City and County of San Francisco met in regular session on Friday, December 6, 2024, with President Julie D. Soo presiding.

President Soo called the meeting to order at 2:06pm.

ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

On the call of the roll. Board Members Brookter, Carrión, Nguyen, Palmer, and Soo were noted present. Member Afuhaamango arrived at 2:14pm after notifying the secretary of her delayed arrival.

A quorum of the Board was present.

Dan Leung, Board Secretary, informed the Board and the public that Jayson Wechter resigned from the Board, his name was removed from the roster, and seat #2 was vacant pending reappointment by the Board of Supervisors.

Board Secretary Leung presented the ancestral homeland acknowledgement of the Ramaytush Ohlone, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula.

President Soo led the Board Members and the audience in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Board Secretary Leung further thanked SFGovTV for recording and televising the meeting on Cable Channel 26, and welcomed members of the public to attend board meetings and provide public comment in-person, by email at sdob@sfgov.org, or by US Postal mail addressed to the Office of the Inspector General, 1 South Van Ness Ave, 8th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103; and noted that in person comment was limited to 2 minutes with General Public Comment taken at the end of the meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

There was no discussion or request for corrections from any Board Members concerning the November 1, 2024, Regular Board Meeting Minutes.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

There was no public comment.

Member Brookter, seconded by Member Palmer, moved to approve the November 1, 2024, Regular Board Meeting Minutes, as presented. The motion carried the following vote following public comment:

Ayes: Brookter, Nguyen, Palmer, Soo

Nays: Carrión

APPROVED.

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

Thierry Fill stated we must understand self-control, we need to fight against food and address air poisoning, and we pay for what we do or not do.

PRESENTATION FROM BEN RICHEY

Ben Richey from the Department of Human Resources presented on conducting performance evaluations.

Comments from Member Soo.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Thierry Fill stated everyone needs self-control.

Motion to continue agenda item Presentation by Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr by Member Carrión, seconded by Member Brookter, with no objections.

INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT

Inspector General Terry Wiley gave a monthly report from the Office of the Inspector General including the recent conference of the Association of Inspector’s General, a visit to County Jail #3 alongside board members, and the collaborative efforts with the San Francisco Jail Justice Coalition. Inspector General Wiley also announced his resignation from the Office of the Inspector General and what led to his decision.

Questions and comments from Members Carrión, Palmer, Afuhaamango, Brookter, Soo, and Nguyen.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Thierry Fill stated that was a lot of information to absorb, we must all learn self-control. Asked who makes the programs (at the jails) and be careful of technology re: the tablets.

EVALUATION OF AMENDMENT TO SDOB RULES OF ORDER

Members Soo led the discussion followed by comments from Members Nguyen, and Carrión.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

There was no public comment.

Member Carrión, seconded by Member Brookter, moved to continue discussion on the amendment to SDOB Rules of Order. The motion carried the following vote following public comment:

Ayes: Afuhaamango, Brookter, Carrión, Nguyen, Palmer, Soo

Nays: None

APPROVED.

RECESS 3:53pm – 4:00pm

PRESENTATION FROM REGINALD BYRON JONES-SAWYER, SR

Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr., representing the 57th California Assembly District, appearing remotely, discussed his efforts as assemblyman, as well as his individual contributions to criminal justice reform and potential state funding for civilian oversight of law enforcement.

Questions and comments from Inspector General Wiley, Members Brookter, and Soo.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Thierry Fill stated to use self-control and stay focused.

POSSIBLE REVISION OF JANUARY MEETING SCHEDULE

Member Soo led the discussion on continuing the January 3 meeting to January 10.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

There was no public comment.

Member Carrión, seconded by Member Brookter, moved to continue the January 3, 2025, regular SDOB meeting to January 10, 2025. The motion carried the following vote following public comment:

Ayes: Afuhaamango, Brookter, Carrión, Nguyen, Palmer, Soo

Nays: None

APPROVED.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Member Soo led the discussion on future agenda items with input by Member Carrión. Future agenda items including noticing possible changes to SDOB Rules of Order 1.14, Ben Richey from the Department of Human Resources to speak on recruitment for a new Inspector General, Eddy Zheng former incarcerated individual, and Sheriff’s Office legal office on policy changes.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Thierry Fill, asked to push for public farming in the jails or anywhere.

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

Thierry Fill wished Inspector General Wiley good luck and happy holidays. Clarified that we are the jail department oversight, Wished the Board Happy Holidays.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business and no objection from any Member, the Board adjourned at the hour of 4:43 p.m.

N.B. The Minutes of this meeting set forth all actions taken by the Sheriff’s Department Oversight Board on the matters stated.

Approved by the Sheriff's Department Oversight Board on February 7, 2025.

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Dan Leung, Board Secretary