The Public Safety Deputy shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) To conduct periodic analysis and evaluation of the results of all closed disciplinary investigations conducted by the Office and the Police Department to identify trends and summarize the number and results of such investigations, and to issue an annual report concerning such analysis and evaluation, and the performance of the police disciplinary system more generally;
(b) To conduct reviews and audits of particular policies, procedures or practices of the Police Department, the Office, and the Police Board with respect to police disciplinary investigations and hearings, and to make findings and recommendations based on those findings to inform and improve future investigations and hearings;
(c) To review and audit individual closed Office and Police Department disciplinary investigations, and to make findings and recommendations based on those findings: (i) to inform and improve future investigations and ensure that they are complete, thorough, objective, and fair; and (ii) if it finds a deficiency that it concludes materially affected the outcome of the investigation, recommend that the investigation be reopened;
(d) To review and audit the Police Department's policies, practices, programs and training (i) with respect to constitutional policing, discipline, and use of force, or (ii) that affect the Police Department's integrity, transparency, and relationship with City residents; and to make recommendations to the Superintendent and the Chair of the City Council Committee on Police and Fire, or its successor committee, to address problems or deficiencies or make improvements in such policies, practices, programs, and training;
(e) To review, audit and analyze civil judgments and settlements of claims against members of the Police Department, and to issue recommendations based on its findings to inform and improve or correct deficiencies in the conduct, or operation of the Police Department;
(f) To review and audit all sustained findings, disciplinary recommendations, and decisions made by the Police Department, the Office, and the Police Board, and any subsequent arbitration decisions, for the purpose of assessing trends and determining whether discipline is consistently and fairly applied, and determining whether final disciplinary decisions are being carried out;
(g) To address community groups and inform the public on the mission, policies and ongoing operations of the Public Safety Deputy;
(h) Subject to applicable law, to have full access to all information in the possession or control of the Police Department, the Office, the Police Board, and any other City department or agency in order to conduct, any review or audit within the Public Safety Deputy's jurisdiction; and
(i) To set minimum qualifications and appropriate screening procedures for all persons to be considered for employment by the Office of the Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety, and to set appropriate staffing levels to carry out the powers and duties set forth herein.
The Public Safety Deputy shall have the authority to make recommendations, based on its reviews and audits, to the Police Department, the Police Board and the Office with respect to changes in policies, procedures, practices, operations, directives, training and equipment to address any deficiencies or problems or implement any improvements identified by its reviews and audits. The Public Safety Deputy is also authorized to make recommendations to other City departments and agencies that it determines are necessary or helpful to effect its recommendations as to the Police Department, the Police Board, and the Office.
(Added Coun. J. 10-5-16, p. 34471, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 7-19-23, p. 1768, § 1)