Audit of the
Sacramento Community Police Review Commission:
Renewed Focus on Cooperation is Urgently Needed
Jorge Oseguera, City Auditor
February 2022
Audit Objective, Scope, and Methodology
Objective
• The objective of this audit was to determine whether the SPD responded to changes to policies and practices as recommended by the SCPRC. In addition, we determined whether the structure and authority of SCPRC is consistent with best practices in civilian oversight of law enforcement agencies.
Scope
• The scope of our audit included a review of the formation, structure, operation, and a review of the 110 recommendations issued by the SCPRC and SPD responses between 2018 through 2021.
Methodology
• We reviewed best practices related to formation and operation of civilian oversight of law enforcement agencies. We reviewed the information aboutestablishment, structure, authorities, and operation of 45 community police oversight agencies
. We also to determine how other agencies are structured, operate, and work with their law enforcement counterparts.
2 Goals of Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement
3 Common Models of Civilian Oversight of Police
Review Focused Model
Monitoring/Auditing-Focused Model
Investigation-Focused Model
Hybrid Agencies and Hybrid Systems
4 City of Sacramento’s Civilian Police Oversight
Structure
In Nov. 2016, the City Council empowered OPSA with authority to conduct investigations related to citizen complaints. OPSA tracks and monitors high profile or serious complaint cases to conclusion, reviews completed investigations, and advises of any deficient investigations.
In Nov. 2016, the City Council established the role of SCPRC to review police policies and procedures in an advisory capacity.
In July 2020, the City Council authorized the creation of an Office of Inspector General and provided full independence and authority to investigate officer-involved shootings and use-of-force incidents that result in serious bodily injury or death.
5 Sacramento Community Police Review
Commission
City Code sec.
2.110.030 - Powers
and Duties of
Commission
A. The commission shall advise and make recommendations to the city council regarding police policy, procedures, and best practices, including those related to community relations, hiring, and training best practices.
B. The commission shall review quarterly reports prepared by the OPSA relating to the number, kind, and status of all citizen complaints filed against police department personnel, to determine whether there are patterns of misconduct that necessitate revisions to any police policy, practice, or procedure.
C. At least annually, to report and make recommendations to the Mayor and the City Council regarding the activities of the commission and the Sacramento Police Department’s efforts to strengthen bias-free policing and community-police relations. 6 Finding 1: The Lack of Clarity and Defined Roles and
Responsibilities has Led to Confusion and Frustration
The Sacramento City Code does not adequately define
the authorities and powers of the SCPRC and
stakeholder agencies, including the SPD and OPSA.
Ambiguity and lack of agreement could negatively
impact trust and performance satisfaction in SPD.
7 Recommendation
The City Council should clarify the purpose, powers, and duties of the SCPRC and how it interacts with other City departments to achieve its objectives. The City Council should memorialize the specific purpose, powers, and duties through resolution, ordinance, or codifying the changes in the City Code.
8 Finding 2: The SCPRC Requires Resources and
Investment from the City to Effectively Achieve its
Objectives
The City does not provide sufficient staff support and/or funding to allow the SCPRC to fulfill its purpose.th state law.
The City Code does not require SCPRC Commissioners to
complete training.
The City does not provide sufficient tools to SCPRC to allow effective communication with the public and stakeholders. 9 Finding 2: The SCPRC Requires Resources and
Investment from the City to Effectively Achieve its
Objectives
The SCPRC does not issue annual reports that reflect
the agency’s work.th state law.
The City has not established goals or identified
measures to evaluate the SCPRC.
SCPRC are not provided City email accounts.
The SCPRC’s access to information should be more
clearly defined.
10 Best Practices and Surveys
11 • The National Association of
Civilian Oversight of Law
Enforcement
• The U.S. Department of Justice.
• 45 additional civilian agencies
over law enforcement in cities
throughout United States
including:
• City of Albuquerque’s
Civilian Police Oversight
Agency
• The City of Seattle’s
Community Police
Commission
• City of Greensboro’s
Criminal Justice Advisory
Commission
Recommendations
The City Council should determine the staffing needs and responsibilities, and funding for the SCPRC. The City Council should be memorialized the role of staff provided, the funding source, and the Department that will house the resources.
The City Council should determine a training curriculum for SCPRC Commissioners and require completion. The training requirements should be codified.
The City Council should identify resources to provide SCPRC with tools to enhance public engagement.
12 Recommendations
The City Council should clarify whether the SCPRC is responsible for issuing an annual report and specify resources and contents.
Identify key performance indicators to measure SCPRC effectiveness.
The City Council should provide email accounts to SCPRC Commissioners.
The City Council should determine the level of access the SCPRC needs to completes is purpose and duties. These levels of access should be memorialized or codified.
13 Finding 3: The SCPRC is in Need of a Recommendation
and Follow-Up Process
City Code does not require SCPRC recommendations to include sufficient information, reasoning, or justification.th state law.
SPD is not required to provide a formal response to SCPRC recommendations.
City Code does not require City Council to discuss and vote to approve or reject SCPRC recommendations.
SCPRC and SPD do not have a formalized process to track whether recommendations have been Implemented.
14 SCPRC Recommendations Not Responded to in
Writing
15 Recommendations and Responses
City Code does not
require SCPRC
recommendations to
include sufficient
information, reasoning,
or justification for
recommendation and
an SPD response.
16 Recommendation Tracking
City Code does not
require SCPRC
recommendations
to be tracked and
reported on.
17 Recommendations
Determine an agreed-upon format for SCPRC recommendations. The format should specify information required to be included.
The City Council should determine whether SPD should provide written responses to SCPRC recommendations.
The City Council should determine whether it should vote on SCPRC recommendations.
The City Council should determine whether the City should track and report on the implementation of SCPRC recommendations.
18 Thank you
www.cityofsacramento.org/auditor