Independent Audit of the
Burbank Police
Department
Presentation to the Burbank City Council
October 1, 2024
OIR Group
in Burbank: • Michael Gennaco
• Stephen Connolly
• Teresa Magula
Annual Auditing
of BPD since
2011
• Review of Completed BPD
investigations
• Critical Incidents
• Use of Force
• Allegations of Misconduct
• Vehicle Pursuits
• Additional audit topic each year
• Public Transparency and
Recommendations for Systemic
Improvement
Review Process
in Burbank
• Sampling of completed cases
• Full access to confidential files and
records (including BWC)
• Cooperation from BPD throughout
process
This Year’s Report: Key
Findings
• “Baseline” of BPD review systems
remains strong
• A model for other agencies
• Meeting and exceeding requirements
• Effective protocols and “commitment to
continuous improvement”
• 14 recommendations
In-Custody
Death Case
• January of 2022; 48-year-old male
• Medical causes
• Administrative investigation into BPD
employee performance (arresting
officers, supervisor, civilian jail staff)
• Accountability and remediation
Misconduct
Investigations
• Sampling of 17 cases
• Influence of BWC on investigations
• Notification letters
• Thorough, thoughtful collection and
assessment of evidence
Use of Force
Investigations
• Review of 14 (out of 55)
• “rigorous, multi-leveled holistic review”
Use of Force
Investigations
• Areas for further attention by BPD:
• Warnings
• “Hands-on” engagement by supervisors
• Taser deployments
• Closed-fist strikes
Vehicle
Pursuits
• 4 incidents in 2023
• Policy changes affecting
operations
• “Tracking Mode”
This year’s
“Special Topic”:
RIPA
• 2015 Legislation: New reporting
requirements for stops by California law
enforcement
• Burbank: first year in 2022
RIPA Audit:
Findings and
Recommendations
• Effective mechanisms for compliance
• Room for further analysis
Questions/Discussion
13