Sheriff's Department Oversight Board 2024 Q2 Report

Summary

Charter Section 4.137 (b) (5) mandates that the Sheriff’s Department Oversight Board (SDOB) “Prepare and submit a quarterly report to the Sheriff and the Board of Supervisors regarding the SDOB evaluations and outreach, and OIG (Office of Inspector General) reports submitted to the SDOB.”

Charter Section 4.137 also mandates that the SDOB:
1) Evaluate the work of the OIG and may review the Inspector General’s individual work performance.
2) Compile, evaluate, and recommend law enforcement custodial and patrol best practices.
3) Conduct community outreach and receive community input regarding SFSD operations and jail conditions, by holding public meetings and soliciting input from persons incarcerated in the City and County.

Evaluations of the OIG during 2024 Q2:

Until such time as OIG is staffed with at least one investigator OIG will not be submitting reports.

Inspector General Terry Wiley has presented detailed monthly and quarterly reports to SDOB on his individual community outreach, site visits, and meeting with SFSO to address issues of concern. He has successfully resolved issues raised by incarcerated members and their families through working with SFSO. Many of the issues are directly related to the persistent staffing shortage and lack of resources, not the culture of SFSO staff. The current consensus is that SFSO is responsive to the needs of the community and works to timely address areas of concern.

Inspector General presented well at a special hearing on May 14, 2024 called by Supervisor Shamann Walton and Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin before the full board to understand the causes of recent county jail lockdowns and the impact on staff, the incarcerated, and families. The supervisors had requested the Sheriff’s Office, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the Inspector General, and the Public Defender’s Office to report on the issue. Inspector General Wiley presented some preliminary recommendations at the hearing that took into consideration the challenges and perspectives of those affected by the lockdowns. The recommendations highlight the persistent staffing shortage and outdated technology. He has continued collaborating with all stakeholders, including the Sheriff, his staff, the Deputy Sheriff’s association, the incarcerated, affected family members, service providers, and community-based organizations to arrive at and implement sustainable solutions. Communication has been key and Inspector General Wiley has been an effective conduit to building consensus among stakeholders. Inspector General Wiley demonstrates that small changes can have big impact and mitigating problems before they come larger ones is an effective use of limited resources.

Inspector General Wiley has been industrious in trying to find ways to secure resources to fund a Charter-mandated nascent office that is still without funding from the City. In May, he reported on a visit he took to Washington, DC to discuss the many issues confronting law enforcement oversight with White House Staff, including Vice President Harris’s Senior Advisor on Criminal Justice Reform. While there, he learned about possible federal funding opportunities. He also took to Capitol Hill to meet with Congressman Eric Swalwell and Legislative Directors for Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Barbara Lee to generate Bay Area leadership support for the Office of the Inspector General.

SDOB community outreach and presence:

SDOB as a whole did not conduct community outreach in Q2 but individual members attended events and accompanied Inspector General Terry Wiley on a site visit.

On May 6, 2024, President Julie D. Soo attended the Young Community Developers (YCD) Job Readiness Training Graduation at the invitation of Member DJ Brookter. These types of programs are vital to support those who want to re-train for union trade jobs, including those preparing for successful re-entry life.

On May 13 and 14, 2024, President Soo attended the California Civilian Oversight Alliance (CCOA) Conference headed by Paul Henderson, CCOA founder and executive director of the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability. This year’s theme was “Bridging the Gap: Racial Equity in Oversight.” Member William Palmer also attended the opening session entitled “A Conversation with the Next Generation of Oversight Leaders about the Importance of Racial Equity in Oversight Work,” featuring Inspector General Wiley, NACOLE President and Akron Independent Police Auditor Anthony Finnell, and Director of Berkeley Police Accountability Hansel Alejandro Aguilar, and moderated by Dr. Saidah Leatutufu-Burch, director of the San Francisco Dream Keeper Initiative.

On June 11, 2024, Inspector General Wiley hosted a Town Hall at City Hall on the Role of the Inspector General. President Soo was invited to make remarks and to give an overview of SDOB. Members Brookter, Ovava Afuhaamango, and Jayson Wechter attended and interacted with community members after the presentations.

On June 26, 2024, Inspector General Wiley was joined by Department of Police Accountability (DPA) Chief Attorney Marshall Khine, DPA Investigator Brent Begin, President Soo, VP Xochitl Carrion, and Member Brookter for a site visit to County Jail #2. The visit was led by SFSO Chief Deputy Lisette Adams, Custody Division. SFSO Chief of Staff Richard Jue also accompanied SDOB Members on the visit. Jail facility conditions and accommodations were noted. In particular, the Classification Division on placement of incarcerated was of import for the safety of the incarcerated and the deputies. Deputy working conditions – hours and safety – and staffing was also discussed.

OIG reports submitted to the SDOB 2024 Q2:

None. Until such time as OIG is staffed with at least one investigator OIG will not be submitting reports.

The Inspector General, however, has submitted monthly and quarterly reports for his work as an individual. Inspector General Terry Wiley will be presenting his monthly report and a 2024 Q2 report at the August 2024 meeting.

The Department of Police Accountability (DPA) verified data and information and presented its 2024 Q1 report to SDOB at the May 2024 meeting. It will present its 2024 Q2 report at the August 2024 meeting.

At the excellent suggestion of SDOB Member Ovava Afuhaamango, Inspector General Wiley immediately began a monthly OIG newsletter in March that details his activities and meetings with stakeholders. The newsletters are a means to connect with the all communities and is another way to solicit comment and raise issues of concern to the attention of SDOB and OIG. Member Afuhaamango has served as SDOB’s community liaison and also maintains its social media presence.

Summary of monthly commission board meetings:

April
At our April meeting, Inspector General Terry Wiley gave a report on Q1 reflecting his work as an individual. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) currently has not been issued a budget that allows for OIG staffing.

Member Michael Nguyen, a San Francisco Sheriff’s Office (SFSO) Deputy, gave an overview of his training for and completion of Field Training Officer (FTO) certification. SFSO recruiting, career advancement, and staff retention is part of SDOB’s oversight.

SFSO Captain Jamala Sanford presented on recruitment, the academy process, ongoing training, and the junior deputy program. Chief John Ramirez presented on peer support, working conditions, deputy safety, and resources for the physical and mental well-being of SFSO employees.

Department of Police Accountability’s (DPA) Chief Attorney Marshall Khine presented on the importance of keeping separate administrative and criminal investigations and the safeguards to ensure that compelled statements and other evidence in an administrative investigation do not compromise a criminal investigation.

May
At our May meeting, the Board commemorated Oakland Police Officer Jordan Wingate, end of watch April 20, 2024.

DPA Chief Attorney Marshall Khine answered Board member questions from the presentation given at the April meeting and presented 2024 Q1 DPA investigations of SFSO.

Steve Faherty, Director of Audits for the Department of Police Accountability, presented on the audit process.

The Board reviewed, discussed, and approved the SDOB 2024 Q1 Report due to the Sheriff and the Board of Supervisors.

The Board also reviewed, discussed, and approved an amendment to the SDOB Rules of Order, in particular amending Rule 1.14 and creating Rule 1.14(a) and 1.14(b) pertaining to meeting agendas and coordinating Board member requests for information.

June
At our June meeting, Inspector General Terry Wiley gave a monthly report on the status of the Office of the Inspector General budget, staffing, and the jail lockdowns.

Patrick Leung, Chief Financial Officer from the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, presented on SFSO budget and priorities. Long-delayed investment in Information Technology continues to hinder any kind of automated reporting by SFSO and exacerbates the current SFSO staffing shortage.

Other
IG Terry Wiley continues to be an effective liaison with all stakeholders tied with SFSO and supports SDOB’s mission to review policies and practices that include not only those incarcerated and their families but to consider SFSO staff and their well-being. He continues to produce the necessary tools and programmatic vision to evaluate SFSO in light of limited resources – the current lack of budget and staffing for the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

SDOB is hopeful that both the Mayor’s Office and the Board of Supervisors will recognize that adequate funding for SFSO and OIG will be economically prudent and a necessary investment in the City’s future. Preventing future lawsuits and settlements is cost-effective from a budgetary standpoint and a priceless return from a human rights standpoint.

The IG and SDOB look forward to increasing its engagement with the community with upcoming events and town halls and attending various meetings sponsored by community organizations.