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(a) In accordance with the obligation of the Police Department and members of the uniformed ranks under Charter Section 4.127 to provide prompt and full cooperation and assistance in connection with complaints being investigated by the DPA, the Police Department shall promptly disclose all documents and records requested by the DPA except where disclosure to the DPA is prohibited by law. Unless (i) the Police Department and the DPA mutually agree in writing to an alternative deadline(s), or (ii) the Police Commission, by a two-thirds vote, establishes an alternative deadline(s) not to exceed ten business days, the Police Department shall disclose all such documents within five business days from the date of DPA’s request.
(b) Unless the Police Department and the DPA have mutually agreed in writing to alternative procedures, where the Police Department intends to withhold a document or record from being disclosed to the DPA, the following procedures shall apply:
(1) Within five business days of the receipt of DPA’s request, the Police Department shall notify the DPA in writing of the proposed objection. Both the Police Department and the DPA shall submit written requests to the City Attorney for a determination of whether disclosure of the document or record to DPA is prohibited by law. The City Attorney shall respond to the requests within five City business days of receiving the requests, unless the City Attorney notifies the Police Department and DPA that due to the complexity of the legal issues presented, more time is required to respond.
(2) Within two business days of receiving the City Attorney’s response, the Police Department shall either transmit the requested documents or records to the DPA or notify the DPA that it does not intend to comply with the DPA’s request. Where the Police Department declines to disclose the documents or records, the Department and the DPA shall meet and confer within three business days of the Department’s notice to the DPA to discuss resolving the objection. The time for the meeting may be extended by mutual agreement of the Police Department and the DPA.
(3) If the Police Department and the DPA have been unable to reach agreement concerning disclosure of the documents or records within five calendar days from the date of the meet and confer, the DPA shall notify the secretary to the Police Commission, who shall calendar the question of disclosure for hearing before the Police Commission at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission, consistent with applicable laws governing public notice of meetings. The Police Commission shall inquire into the dispute. Unless the Police Commission determines based on the advice of counsel that the law prohibits the Police Department from releasing the requested document or record to the DPA, the Commission shall order the Chief of Police to disclose the requested document or record to the DPA within two business days unless at the meeting the Commission: (i) determines that unusual circumstances warrant a longer deadline; (ii) explains the basis for that determination; and (iii) sets a different deadline.
(Added by Ord. 244-03, File No. 031401, App. 10/17/2003; amended by Ord. 232-17, File No. 170866, App. 12/8/2017, Eff. 12/8/2017)
Whenever the Chief of Police proposes to act on a complaint sustained by the DPA and the proposed action is not consistent with the DPA’s recommendation to refer the matter to the Police Commission for discipline because the Chief of Police is proposing either a suspension of ten days or less, or no discipline, the Chief of Police shall, prior to taking action, notify the DPA in writing of the proposed action, and shall meet and confer with the DPA Director within five business days of the written notice to resolve the disagreement over the appropriate discipline. Where the DPA and the Chief of Police are unable to reach agreement on the appropriate discipline, the DPA and the Chief of Police shall send written notice to the Police Commission identifying the sustained complaint and describing the disagreement. This notice shall be a part of the Director’s Report at the next Commission meeting, consistent with applicable laws governing public notice of meetings.
(Added by Ord. 244-03, File No. 031401, App. 10/17/2003; amended by Ord. 232-17, File No. 170866, App. 12/8/2017, Eff. 12/8/2017)
Not later than 90 days from the effective date of this Chapter, the Police Commission shall promulgate guidelines for penalties to be imposed against an officer in instances where a police officer, including an officer functioning in an administrative or supervisory role, fails to produce documents or records in accordance with this Chapter, or fails to comply with the duty imposed by Charter Section 4.127 to cooperate with and assist the DPA. The Police Commission shall transmit a copy of the guidelines to the Board of Supervisors.
(Added by Ord. 244-03, File No. 031401, App. 10/17/2003; amended by Ord. 232-17, File No. 170866, App. 12/8/2017, Eff. 12/8/2017)
The Director of the DPA shall have the authority to subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance and testimony, administer oaths and affirmations, take evidence and require by subpoena the production of books, papers, records or other items relevant to investigations under the jurisdiction of the DPA. This subpoena power shall not extend to departments, officers or employees of the City who are obligated to provide prompt and full cooperation to the DPA pursuant to Charter Section 4.127.
(Added by Ord. 244-03, File No. 031401, App. 10/17/2003; amended by Ord. 232-17, File No. 170866, App. 12/8/2017, Eff. 12/8/2017)
When the City receives a claim alleging improper conduct by a police officer, other than a claim seeking only damages for damage to property resulting from the operation of a Police Department vehicle, the City Attorney shall send the claimant a notice that describes the DPA’s role in investigating complaints of police officer misconduct, and includes information on how to contact the DPA.
(Added by Ord. 244-03, File No. 031401, App. 10/17/2003; amended by Ord. 232-17, File No. 170866, App. 12/8/2017, Eff. 12/8/2017)
(a) The Police Commission shall provide, and each commissioner shall attend within six months of appointment, training provided by experts in the state and local laws and Police Department policies governing public safety officer discipline. This training shall include instruction in DPA’s process and procedures for investigating citizen complaints, and shall be not less than three hours in length.
(b) Following the effective date of this Chapter, the Police Department shall include a written summary in the training materials provided to police officer trainees of the requirements of Chapter 1 of the San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code, entitled “Reporting Improper Government Activity; Protection of Whistleblowers,” as amended from time to time. The summary required by this paragraph shall be approved by the City Attorney.
(Added by Ord. 244-03, File No. 031401, App. 10/17/2003; amended by Ord. 232-17, File No. 170866, App. 12/8/2017, Eff. 12/8/2017)
Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to require the disclosure of any information the disclosure of which would constitute a violation of a peace officer's privacy interests under the California Constitution, California Penal Code Sections 830 et seq., or California Government Code Sections 3300 et seq. (the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights).
(Added by Ord. 244-03, File No. 031401, App. 10/17/2003)
The failure of the Chief of Police or the DPA to follow the requirements of this Chapter shall not constitute a basis for invalidating a decision by the Chief of Police or the Police Commission to impose discipline.
(Added by Ord. 244-03, File No. 031401, App. 10/17/2003; amended by Ord. 232-17, File No. 170866, App. 12/8/2017, Eff. 12/8/2017)
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