PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL: REPORT
AND UPDATE FROM INDEPENDENT
POLICE AUDITOR
April 21, 2025
1 OIR GROUP
• IPA for the City of Palo Alto
• Semi-Annual Audit Reports re PAPD
internal review systems
• Last Council appearance in November
2024
2 Latest Semi-Annual Report: Cases from
second half of 2024
• Five public complaints of misconduct
• One internally generated complaint
• 4 “Pointed Firearm” incidents
3 Six Allegations of Policy Violations
External Complaint Investigations
1. Alleged Conflict of Interest
2. Handling of DUI Investigation
3. Response to Residence
4. Officer Performance During an Arrest
5. Officer Conduct During Traffic Stop
Internal Complaint Investigation
1. Inappropriate Comment
4 Misconduct Cases: 5 Recommendations
• RECOMMENDATION #1: Proscription from becoming
involved in police activity involving friends and family members
• RECOMMENDATION #2: Do not wait for paperwork to be
completed to initiate complaint
• RECOMMENDATION #3: Advise complainant of other
remedial action short of discipline
• RECOMMENDATION #4: Sufficient training before
conducting DUI investigations
• RECOMMENDATION #5: Acknowledge shortcomings in
performance that do not rise to policy violation
5 Pointed Firearm Incidents
• 4 documented events (some with multiple officers)
• All instances were evaluated and found to be consistent with training and policy
• Refinements in PAPD process for review
6 Questions/Discussion
7