Personnel and Public Employees Committee
July 22, 2025

City of Sacramento
Personnel and Public Employees Committee Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2025-01085 7/22/2025
Annual Report and Performance Evaluation for City Council Appointive Officer - Director of the Office of Public Safety Accountability
File ID: 2025-01085
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Receive annual report and pass a Motion forwarding to the City Council for review.

Contact: Dr. LaTesha Watson, Director, (916) 808-7525, [email protected], Office of Public Safety Accountability
Presenter: Dr. LaTesha Watson, Director, (916) 808-7525, [email protected], Office of Public Safety Accountability
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-2024 OPSA Annual Report
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The mayor and city council are committed to performing regular annual reviews of its appointive officers.

The annual report and appointed officer evaluation process is intended to move forward to the city council. As appropriate, the city council will meet in closed session, per Government Code section 54957(b), to provide feedback on past accomplishments and to give direction on the goals and objectives for the upcoming year.

City of Sacramento Charter § 70 Appointive Officers mandates the following:

Other city officers shall be appointed by the city council under Section (e), Such other officers and employees of its own body as it deems necessary. (Amended by Res. 2018-0317, 7/31/18).

File ID: 2025-01085 7/22/2025
City Code Section 2.22 expands on what is established in the City Charter. The Duties and functions of the Office of Public Safety Accountability include:
· Audit all complaint investigations of the police department and fire department, as the director deems necessary.
· Monitor all complaint investigations conducted by the police department and fire department. · Request the police department and fire department perform further investigation in those complaint cases that require additional investigation as determined by the director. · Receive all documents, reports, or any other item necessary to monitor or audit a complaint investigation.
· Assist the city council, or any duly appointed committee of the council, in performing its investigative functions under section 34 of the charter. · As needed, request the city council, or any duly appointed committee of the council, to issue subpoenas as provided in section 34 of the charter. The city council may, by resolution, establish the procedures for the request, issuance, and service of those subpoenas. · Perform such other inquiries and investigations as prescribed by council resolution. · Accept and document complaints directly from citizens as an alternative procedure for citizen complaints concerning public safety personnel, using a complaint form distinct from that used by the police department or fire department. All such complaints shall be promptly forwarded to the respective public safety department for investigation. · Provide complainants with timely updates on the status of investigations, excluding disclosure of any information that is confidential or legally protected. · Explain how the complaint process works to all complainants. · Monitor or independently investigate any other matter as directed by the city council pursuant to section 34 of the charter.
· Serve in a public information capacity, including providing public information, excluding disclosure of any information that is confidential or legally protected, on pending investigations as directed by the city council; and making presentations in community forums. · Respond to critical incidents involving police or fire personnel and provide a report to city council regarding the details and concerns of those incidents. (Ord. 2016-0054 § 2) Policy Considerations: Council Rules of Procedure, Chapter 18.

Economic Impacts: Not applicable.

Environmental Considerations: Not applicable.

Sustainability: Not applicable.

Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.

Rationale for Recommendation: Clear communication and performance metrics are at the core of the work of the council and the city. To evaluate council appointive officers on a consistent basis, the

File ID: 2025-01085 7/22/2025
Personnel and Public Employee (P&PE) Committee has the role and responsibility of developing and leading annual performance metrics and evaluations.

Financial Considerations: Not applicable.

Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.

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111

2 MAYOR
KEVIN MCCARTY*
(916) 808-5300
[email protected]

District One

LISA KAPLAN
(916) 808-7001
[email protected]

District Two
ROGER DICKINSON*
(916) 808-7002
[email protected]

District Three

KARINA TALAMANTES
(916) 808-7003
[email protected]

District Four
PHIL PLUCKEBAUM *
(916) 808-7004
[email protected]
District Five

CAITY MAPLE
(916) 808-7005
[email protected]

District Six

ERIC GUERRA
(916) 808-7006
[email protected]

District Seven

RICK JENNINGS, II
(916) 808-7007
[email protected]

District Eight

MAI VANG
(916) 808-7008
[email protected]

INTERIM CITY MANAGER
LEYNE MILSTEIN*
(916) 808-5704
[email protected]

* In office at the time of publication

3 Table of Contents
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ............................................................................................................................. 5 ABOUT THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITY .................................................................. 6 MISSION STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................. 6 BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................................... 6 OPSA COMMUNITY CORNER ............................................................................................................................. 8 MEET JOSEF GRAY, OPSA’S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR .................................................... 8 COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS TOUR ......................................................................................................... 9

OPSA COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITY ................................................................................................................................................................. 11 APRIL 2024 ......................................................................................................................................... 11 MAY 2024 ........................................................................................................................................... 11 JUNE 2024 ........................................................................................................................................... 12 JULY 2024 ........................................................................................................................................... 12 AUGUST 2024 ...................................................................................................................................... 12 OCTOBER 2024 .................................................................................................................................... 13 NOVEMBER 2024 .................................................................................................................................. 13 DECEMBER 2024 .................................................................................................................................. 14 OPSA TEAM COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT .............................................................. 15 FEBRUARY 2024 ................................................................................................................................... 15 MARCH 2024 ....................................................................................................................................... 15 APRIL 2024 ......................................................................................................................................... 15 MAY 2024 ........................................................................................................................................... 15 JUNE 2024 ........................................................................................................................................... 15 JULY 2024 ........................................................................................................................................... 15 AUGUST 2024 ...................................................................................................................................... 15 SEPTEMBER 2024 .................................................................................................................................. 16 OCTOBER 2024 .................................................................................................................................... 16 NOVEMBER 2024 .................................................................................................................................. 16 DECEMBER 2024 .................................................................................................................................. 16 OPSA RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................................................................... 17 OPSA INVESTIGATIONS .................................................................................................................................... 18 TABLE 1: SPD FURTHER REVIEW RESULTS .............................................................................................. 19 TABLE 2: SFD FURTHER REVIEW RESULTS............................................................................................... 21 2024 POLICE CASE REVIEW ................................................................................................................... 23 2024 FIRE CASE REVIEW ....................................................................................................................... 23 TABLE 3: SPD CASES REVIEWED BY OPSA .............................................................................................. 23 CHART 1: CASES REVIEWED VS. NOT REVIEWED BY OPSA ....................................................................... 24

4 REVIEW PROCESS ................................................................................................................................................. 25 PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE CITY’S COMPLAINT PROCESS ........................................................................ 55 OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITY – INSPECTOR GENERAL ........................................ 26 TABLE 4: SPD OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING & DEATH IN CUSTODY INCIDENTS ...................................... 27 CRITICAL INCIDENTS ......................................................................................................................................... 28 DEATH IN CUSTODY INVESTIGATION – 3600 BLOCK OF JASMINE STREET ............................................... 28 DEATH IN CUSTODY INVESTIGATION – 3600 BLOCK OF FULTON AVENUE .............................................. 30 INSPECTOR GENERAL POLICE CASE REVIEW ......................................................................................... 31 CHART 2 - SPD CASES REVIEWED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ............................................................ 31 SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT ......................................................................................................... 32 COMPLAINT PROCESS ........................................................................................................................... 32 POLICE COMPLAINT CLASSIFICATIONS AND ALLEGATIONS ...................................................................... 33 CHART 3: SPD & OPSA ALLEGATION COMPARISON 2017-2024 ............................................................... 34 CHART 4: SPD COMPLAINT COMPARISON 2020-2024 .............................................................................. 34 CHART 5: SPD ALLEGATION BREAKDOWN 2024 ..................................................................................... 35 CHART 6: OPSA ALLEGATION BREAKDOWN 2024................................................................................... 35 CHART 7: SPD ALLEGATION DISPOSITIONS ............................................................................................ 36 CHART 8: SPD DISPOSITIONS BY ALLEGATION ........................................................................................ 37 SACRAMENTO FIRE DEPARTMENT ............................................................................................................... 39 FIRE COMPLAINT ALLEGATIONS ............................................................................................................ 39 CHART 10: SFD COMPLAINT COMPARISON 2017-2024 ............................................................................ 40 CHART 11: SFD ALLEGATION COMPARISON 2016-2024 ........................................................................... 40 CHART 12: SFD ALLEGATION BREAKDOWN 2024 .................................................................................... 41 CHART 13: OPSA ALLEGATION BREAKDOWN 2024 ................................................................................. 41 CHART 14: SFD ALLEGATION DISPOSITIONS ........................................................................................... 42 CHART 15: SFD DISPOSITIONS BY ALLEGATION ...................................................................................... 42 CHART 16: SFD DISCIPLINE FROM COMPLETED INVESTIGATIONS .............................................................. 43 OUTSIDE JURISDICTION ................................................................................................................................... 46 ANNUAL RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 44 OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITY (OPSA) .......................................................................... 44 SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT (SPD) ............................................................................................. 44 SACRAMENTO FIRE DEPARTMENT (SFD) ................................................................................................... 44 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ................................................................................................................. 47 MEET THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITY ................................................................... 49

5 Mayor and City Council
Summary
The City of Sacramento’s Office of Public Safety Accountability (OPSA) encompasses oversight practitioners responsible for the investigation, review, and audit of allegations of misconduct involving the Sacramento Police Department (SPD) and the Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) personnel. OPSA ensures that investigations have been completed fairly, thoroughly, and objectively.

The Office of Public Safety Accountability continues its efforts in the improvement of policing and better serving the interests of the public. The goals and objectives of the office involve creating meaningful opportunities for the community to influence decisions that impact them, incorporating innovative and progressive ideas to resolve issues, explaining challenges and limitations, and ensuring outcomes meet goals while remaining inclusive and accessible. 2024 was an exciting year for the Office of Public Safety Accountability. The outpouring of support received from the City of Sacramento community members as well as the Sacramento Mayor and City Council resulted in the approval of an increase in staffing for the office in the furtherance of achieving set goals and objectives. OPSA diligently worked to fill the newly awarded full-time positions with the most qualified oversight and accountability practitioners as well as ensure that the new team members rec eived proper onboarding as well as thorough, extensive, and timely training. Throughout the recruitment and hiring process of the new full - time personnel, OPSA continued efforts in strengthening community trust and supporting and promoting constitutional p olicing. OPSA continued fulfilling its core mission of providing independent and impartial public safety oversight for the Sacramento Police Department and the Sacramento Fire Department by executing the roles and responsibilities of the office ensuring timely communication with complainants and community stakeholders, as well as strengthening the process in the thorough review of completed investigations.

The annual report provides a comprehensive review of the Office of Public Safety Accountability performance in tracking and monitoring internal investigations, reviewing completed investigations, as well as statistical data for all misconduct allegations i nvolving the City of Sacramento public safety personnel. In 2024, there were a total of 679 allegations regarding police misconduct and 188 allegations regarding fire misconduct reported directly to the Office of Public Safety Accountability, through SPD Internal Affairs Division, or SFD Professional Standards Unit.

Additionally, the report outlines misconduct allegation findings regarding the completed police and fire investigations, as well as any reported discipline. The report also provides summaries of the three critical incidents that occurred in 2024, one officer-involved shooting and two deaths in custody.

Note: OPSA utilized the most accurate case data available at the time to prepare this report.

6 About the Office of Public Safety Accountability
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Office of Public Safety Accountability is to improve the relationship between the City's public safety departments and the community they protect and serve. We promote trust, excellence, transparency, and accountability through independent and impartial oversight of complaints related to public safety employee misconduct.

Background
In 1998, a Blue Ribbon Citizens’ Committee appointed by the City Manager examined concerns regarding the Sacramento Police Department (SPD). The Committee recommended significant changes in the processing and investigation of community complaints of police misconduct. As a result, in 1999, the Mayor and City Council established the Office of Police Accountability.

The Committee additionally recommended giving the City Manager the authority to extend the Office’s scope and review responsibilities. In 2004, the City Manager, with the approval of the Mayor and City Council, expanded the scope of responsibility of the O ffice to include the Sacramento Fire Department (SFD). The name was changed to the Office of Public Safety Accountability (OPSA).

OPSA’s charter is to provide civilian oversight to the City’s Police Department and Fire Department complaint process and become a liaison between the city and its diverse communities. The goals of OPSA are to promote trust, transparency, and accountability in the City’s most critical public service departments.

OPSA provides fair and impartial civilian oversight of the Police and Fire Departments’ complaint process. OPSA is charged with receiving complaints from the community, auditing departmental investigation results, and independently conducting investigations into allegations of police or fire employee misconduct. Additionally, OPSA issues recommendations concerning community relations outreach, public safety departments’ policy and procedures, the training needs of their personnel, and individual case resolution, as needed.

In November 2016, Council approved an ordinance which provided greater community input and participation by sun-setting the Sacramento Community Police Commission and replacing it with the Sacramento Community Police Review Commissio n, with staff support provided by OPSA. The ordinance also expanded the role and authority of OPSA by increasing the office’s budget to hire additional staff. Further, the reporting chain was changed so that the OPSA Director reports to the Mayor and City Council, rather than the City Manager. The provisions of the ordinance went into effect in 2017 and resulted in OPSA’s growth from an office of one to an office of four. On July 1, 2020, the Sacramento City Council passed a motion authorizing the creation of an Inspector General (IG) position in the Office of Public Safety Accountability, further expanding the office. The IG position entails full independence and authority to investigate officer-involved shootings and use-of-force incidents that result in serious bodily injury or death.

7 On September 12, 2023, the Sacramento City Council passed a motion authorizing additional staffing within the Office of the Public Safety Accountability. Six additional full-time employees were authorized to increase OPSA’s productivity and efficiency. In 2024, OPSA conducted nation- wide recruitments for the newly authorized positions. All positions were filled by September 1, 2024, and the training cycle for the new team members was initiated.

To safeguard the public trust, OPSA works closely with community members and its leaders, maintains a close working relationship with Police and Fire Command personnel, the Sacramento Police Officers Association and the Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522. OPSA functions with complete and necessary independence, which is key to success in providing fair, objective, and impartial oversight service to the city and its communities, all while maintaining a professional relationship with the Sacramento Police and Fire Departments.

8 OPSA COMMUNITY CORNER

Meet Josef Gray, OPSA’s Community Engagement
Coordinator

The Office of Public Safety Accountability welcomed Josef Gray to the OPSA team in March of 2024. As a proud Sacramentan, Mr. Gray has demonstrated a strong commitment to his community. His experiences navigating the challenges of the juvenile justice system have shaped a strong passion for promoting community impact and driving meaningful social change.

Mr. Gray brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in youth advocacy and community engagement to OPSA. From 2018 – 2024, he served as the Director of Sacramento for the Anti- Recidivism Coalition, a statewide nonprofit organization focusing on reentry and criminal justice reform. While serving the organization as a Program Manager for the Stars Behavioral Health Group, he served young adults who had been impacted by trafficking, homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health challenges.

Additionally, he served with the Capital Star Community Services – Transitional Age Youth Full-Service Partnership as a Program Manager as well as the River Oak Juvenile Justine Diversion and Treatment Program as a juvenile advocate. He has served as a commissioner for the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission and the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.

9 Community Conversations Tour
The Office of Public Safety Accountability ushered in a renewed interest in the elevation of educational awareness, community outreach and engagement through intentional actions.

Public safety effectiveness can only be achieved by building a solid foundation of trust and legitimacy. Strengthening community relationships encompasses cultivating connections, earning trust, building reciprocity, and advocating for needed improvement in public safety.

OPSA kicked off its ”Community Conversation Tours” initiative in the City of Sacramento.

Phase one of the tours solely focused on community organizations. The initiative created ongoing public engagement opportunities between organizational stakeholders and OPSA oversight practitioners. Learning through community conversations is essential in providing the best quality of life for Sacramento residents. Honest and transparent dialogue is essential in ensuring that public safety reform efforts encompass the meaningful and transparent inclusion of community perspectives.

Our community conversation tours were informative for OPSA personnel as well as Sacramento organizational stakeholders. OPSA shared the office’s vision and mission for establishing oversight and accountability in the city’s public safety agencies as well as discussed how the office can be utilized as a community resource.

April 26, 2024
Del Paso Heights Neighborhood
 Sacramento News & Review
 Sacramento Youth Center
 Mutual Assistance Network

May 23, 2024
Oak Park Neighborhood
 Oak Park Community Center
 Community Against Sexual Harm (CASH)
 Greater Sacramento Urban League (Youth & Family Center)  Underground Books

July 18, 2024
Meadowview Neighborhood
 Sacramento Job Corps Center
 Rose Family Creative Empowerment
 Sacramento Works One Stop
 Voice of the Youth + Sojourner Truth Museum

10 11
OPSA Community Engagement Coordinator
Education and Outreach Activity
April 2024
− Anti-Recidivism Coalition Informational Meeting
− Bishop Chris Baker Community Discussion Meeting
− Mutual Assistance Network Meet & Greet
− Sacramento Observer Meet & Greet
− Roberts Family Development Center Community Connection Meeting − Sacramento News & Review Discussion - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) − American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Northern California Collaborative Meeting − FB1 Young Adult Community - Working with Minority Youths Meeting − Sacramento Youth Center Visit and Discussion - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) − Sacramento Police Department (Internal Affairs Unit) Office Tour and Collaborative Meeting
. May 2024
− District 5 Councilmember Caity Maple - Future Community Events Meeting − Greater Sacramento Urban League (Oak Park) - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion
− Oak Park Community Center - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − District 1 Councilmember Lisa Kaplan - Future Community Events Meeting − District 6 Councilmember Eric Guerra - Future Community Events Meeting − Sacramento City Manager’s Office Community Engagement Strategies Meeting − Saint Paul Church of Sacramento - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Fruitridge Community Collaborative (River Oak) - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion
− City of Refuge Sacramento – OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Underground Books - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Project Optimism – Future Community Events Meeting
− District 8 Councilmember Mai Vang - Future Community Events Meeting − Community Against Sexual Harm (CASH) - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion
− Project Rebound - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Wear Your Heart, Inc. - Future Community Engagement Meeting − A Different Path - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Valley High School - OPSA Presentation Discussion
− Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) - OPSA Presentation Discussion

12 June 2024
− Rose Family Creative Empowerment Center - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) − Sacramento Police Department (Investigations Unit) – Collaboration and Resources Discussion
− E. Tagg Music Productions - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − E2 Church – Collaboration and Future Community Events Discussion − African Marketplace – OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Sacramento County Office of Education - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Sacramento Children’s Fund: Measure L - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Sacramento State Scholars Program - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion July 2024
− Brother 2 Brother Discussion Meeting
− Youth Forward Discussion Meeting
− Sacramento Job Corps Discussion Meeting
− Highlands Success Center (Future Site Visit Discussion) − Impact Justice Discussion Meeting
− Voice of the Youth Discussion Meeting
− Gifted Misfits (non-profit) OPSA Presentation at Sheldon Highschool − Public Health Advocates Discussion Meeting
− Lao Family Community Development Center Discussion Meeting − Sacramento Community Police Review Commission Discussion Meeting − Sierra Health Foundation Discussion Meeting
− Anti-Recidivism Coalition Discussion Meeting
− Brother 2 Brother Lunch with Former SPD Police Chief Daniel Han − African American Student Healing and Empowerment (ASHÉ) Center Discussion Meeting
− Sacramento City College Discussion Meeting
− Los Rios Community College/Folsom Prison Discussion Meeting − CycleBreakers Ministries Discussion Meeting
− CA Hispanic Resource Council Discussion Meeting
− La Familia Counseling Center Discussion Meeting
− Public Defender’s Office Discussion Meeting
− Church of Praise (COP) Church Discussion Meeting
− Sacramento Kings – Social Impact Team Discussion - Potential Partnership − Sacramento County – County Council Discussion Meeting − Black Chamber of Commerce & Sac State Discussion Meeting August 2024
− Sacramento Police Review Commission Chair Discussion Meeting

13 − University of California – Davis Discussion Meeting − California State Senate Discussion Meeting
− Discussion with Dilpreet Sidhu for OPSA Internship
− Sierra Health Foundation Discussion Meeting
− Discussion Meeting for Presentation with Youth Juvenile Halls − Sacramento County Probation Discussion Meeting
− Discussion Partnership with OPSA and Know Your Rights Training − Children’s Law Center - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Reparations Now - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Sacramento Office of Education - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − St. Paul Church (Oak Park) - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Sac Connect – OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Sacramento Office of Education - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − LegalShield- OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Adv’O’Kidz Foundation Inc - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − KB Branding - Discussed Branding and Social Media Strategies for OPSA − Sacramento PD Retired Sargeant Discussion (OPSA History and Mission − San Juan Unified School District - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Color The Block - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion − Fortune Schools - OPSA (Role & Responsibilities) Discussion October 2024
− Board of State and Community Corrections
− Equinix
− Exodus Project
− UC Davis Behavioral Health Counselor
− Improve Your Tomorrow
− Excelsior Farms Estate
− Workforce Development
− Consumes River College
− For Your Epiphany
− Sacramento State University BSU
− Project Rebound Sacramento State University
− Elk Grove Unified School District
− College Track
− Florin High School
November 2024
− Financial Services Training Program
− 97.5 KDEE Radio

14 − California Urban Partnership
− EXP Realtor Group
− Clover Agency
− United and Guided
− Inspired to Be
− Sacramento State University – November 26, 2024
December 2024
− I Am Impact
− Sacramento Area Youth Speaks
− Black Youth Leadership Project
− Roberts Family Development Center
− Black Artist Foundry
− Back 2 Work
− Grant High School

15 OPSA Team Community Outreach and
Engagement
February 2024
− African American Employee Leadership Council (AAELC) 6th Annual Black History Month Celebration
March 2024
− Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento - Women’s Build Month − National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) 42nd Annual Prayer Breakfast
April 2024
− 9th Annual R.E.A.L. Manhood 101 Youth Leadership Summit & College Day May 2024
− Walk with Mayor Pro Tem Karina Talamantes – District 3 − Rock the Block- Oak Park (Habitat for Humanity)
− Sacramento Community Police Review Commission Meeting − Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Cultural Celebration and Luncheon June 2024
− District 1 Juneteenth Celebration with Councilmember Kaplan − Land Park Juneteenth Parade
− St. Hopes Juneteenth Block Party - Oak Park
− African American Employees Leadership Council (AAELC) Juneteenth Luncheon − Black Chamber of Commerce Juneteenth Dinner
− Love Sacramento: Love INC Event
July 2024
− Voice of the Youth Impact Program
− Community Police Commission at Oak Park
− 916 Ink – Life After AmeriCorps Training Event
August 2024
− Adv’O’Kidz Foundation Inc. Advocacy Workshop
− Reentry Resource Fair
− South Sacramento Family Success Fair
− District 8 South Sacramento Festival

16 September 2024
− Annual Black Food Festival
− Autumn Lantern Festival
October 2024
− Valley High School Presentation
− South Sacramento Multi-Cultural Festival
− Sacramento City College Presentation
− CASH Fall Festival
− District 1 Trunk-or-Treat
− Meadowview Farmer's Market
November 2024
− OPSA “Meet & Greet” at New City Hall
− Cafecito con Karina
− Culture of Health Prize Conversation
− District 4 Community Meeting
− Broadway International Festival
December 2024
− Courageous Leaders of Tomorrow Summit
− Meadowview in the Lights Holiday Event
− Black Chamber/Community Engagement Holiday Celebration

17 OPSA Responsibilities
Under the direction, control and supervision of the City Council, the Director has the following authority and responsibility as related to the Sacramento Police Department and Fire Department:

A. Audit all citizen complaint investigations of the police department and fire department, as the director deems necessary.

B. Monitor all citizen complaint investigations conducted by the police department and fire department.

C. Request the police department and fire department perform further investigation in those citizen complaint cases that require additional investigation as determined by the director.

D. Receive all documents, reports, or any other item necessary to monitor or audit a complaint investigation.

E. Assist the city council, or any duly appointed committee of the council, in performing its investigative functions under section 34 of the charter.

F. As needed, request the city council, or any duly appointed committee of the council, to issue subpoenas as provided in section 34 of the charter. The city council may, by resolution, establish the procedures for the request, issuance, and service of those subpoenas.

G. Perform such other inquiries and investigations as prescribed by council resolution.

H. Accept and document complaints directly from citizens as an alternative procedure for citizen complaints concerning public safety personnel, using a complaint form distinct from that used by the police department or fire department. All such complaints shall be promptly forwarded to the respective public safety department for investigation.

I. Provide complainants with timely updates on the status of investigations, excluding disclosure of any information that is confidential or legally protected.

J. Explain how the complaint process works to all complainants.

K. Monitor or independently investigate any other matter as directed by the city council pursuant to section 34 of the charter.

L. Serve in a public information capacity, including providing public information, excluding disclosure of any information that is confidential or legally protected, on pending investigations as directed by the city council; and making presentations in commun ity forums.

M. Respond to critical incidents involving police or fire personnel and provide a report to city council regarding the details and concerns of those incidents.

18 OPSA Investigations
Under the direction, control, and supervision of the City of Sacramento Mayor and City of Sacramento City Council, the Office of Public Safety Accountability tracks and monitors any internal investigation, reviews completed investigations, and advises the Sacramento Police Chief and the Sacramento Fire Chief of deficient investigations involving misconduct allegations against public safety personnel.

OPSA receives all police and fire complaints, regardless of where the complaints are filed. After OPSA conducts a preliminary review of each alleged complaint, a determination is made as to whether the case will or will not be reviewed. OPSA documents the determination by sending a review form to the Sacramento Police Department Internal Affairs Division and Sacramento Fire Department Professional Standards Division indicating whether the case will be reviewed or not reviewed. For all cases selected for oversight review, OPSA receives access to all investigative materials utilized to render a finding prior to discipline being imposed.

During 2024, OPSA fully reviewed 100% of the complaints filed against the Sacramento Fire Department and 48% of the complaints filed against the Sacramento Police Department. Of the completed investigations reviewed by OPSA, 32 investigations for police and 32 investigations for fire required further review.

19 Review Finding Options
• Agree
• Discussed – Revised
• Discussed – Not Revised, Memo Sent
• Discussed – Further Investigation, Agree/Recommendation Accepted • Discussed – Further Investigation, Disagree/Memo Sent

Table 1: SPD Further Review Results
Month

Recommendation/Disagreement
Outcome
January Allegation Correction Discussed - Further Investigation, Agree January Additional Information Needed Discussed - Further Investigation, Agree January Disposition Incorrect/Additional
Allegation Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
January Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction
Discussed - Further Investigation, Disagree/
Recommendation Under Consideration
March Additional Information Needed Discussed - Further Investigation, Agree May Additional Allegation Needed Discussed - Further Investigation, Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
May Additional Allegation Needed Discussed - Further Investigation, Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
May Additional Information Needed Incomplete Review/Case Pending June Additional Allegation Needed Discussed - Further Investigation, Disagree/ Recommendation Under Consideration
July Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
July Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
August Additional Information
Needed/Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction
Discussed - Further Investigation, Agree
August Additional Information
Needed/Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction
Discussed - Further Investigation, Agree
August Additional Allegation Needed Discussed - Further Investigation, Agree September Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration

20 September Additional Allegation Needed Discussed - Further Investigation, Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
October Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
November Additional Allegation Needed Discussed-Further Investigation, Agree November Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction/ Additional Information
Needed
Discussed-Further Investigation, Agree/
Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
November Additional Allegation Needed Discussed-Further Investigation, Agree
November Additional Information Needed Incomplete Review/Case Pending November Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction
Discussed-Further Investigation, Agree
November Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction
Discussed-Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration
November Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction
Discussed-Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration
December Additional Information Needed Discussed-Further Investigation, Agree December Additional Information Needed Discussed-Further Investigation, Agree December Additional Allegation Needed Discussed - Further Investigation, Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
December Additional Information Needed Incomplete Review/Case Pending December Additional Information Needed Incomplete Review/Case Pending December Additional Information
Needed/Additional Allegation Needed
Incomplete Review/Case Pending
December Additional Information Needed/SPD
Policy Issue
Incomplete Review/Case Pending
December Additional Information Needed Incomplete Review/Case Pending

21 Table 2: SFD Further Review Results
Month

Recommendation/Disagreement
Outcome
January Additional Information Needed Discussed - Further Investigation, Agree January Disposition Incorrect Discussed - Further Investigation, Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
February Additional Information
Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation/Agree
February Additional Information
Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation/Agree
February Additional Information
Needed/Disposition
Incorrect
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
February Additional Information Needed Discussed - Further Investigation, Agree February Disposition Incorrect Discussed - Further Investigation, Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
February Additional Information
Needed/Additional Allegations
Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
March Additional Information
Needed/Additional Allegations
Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
April Additional Information Needed Discussed - Further Investigation, Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
April Additional Information
Needed/Disposition
Incorrect
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
April Additional Information
Needed
Incomplete Review/Case Pending
May Additional Information
Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation/Agree
May Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
May Missing Dispositions Discussed - Further Investigation, Agree May Additional Information
Needed
Incomplete Review/Case Pending

22 June Disposition Incorrect Discussed - Further Investigation, Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
June Additional Information
Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation/Agree
June Additional Information
Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation/Agree
July Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
July Additional Information Needed/
Additional Allegation Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
July Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction Additional Allegation
Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
August Additional Information
Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation/Agree
August Additional Information
Needed/Additional Allegation
Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation, Agree
August Additional Information
Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation, Agree
September Additional Information
Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation, Agree
October Additional Information Needed/
Additional Allegation Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
November Additional Information Needed/
Additional Allegation Needed
Discussed-Further Investigation,
Agree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
November Additional Information Needed/
Disposition Incorrect/Allegation
Correction
Discussed - Further Investigation,
Agree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
November Additional Information
Needed
Discussed - Further Investigation/Agree
December Additional Information Needed/
Disposition Incorrect/Additional
Allegation Needed
Discussed-Further Investigation,
Disagree/Recommendation Under
Consideration/Recommendation Accepted
December Additional Information Needed/
Additional Allegation Needed
Incomplete Review/Case Pending

23 2024 Police Case Review
OPSA documented 294 complaints of misconduct filed against the Sacramento Police Department with a total of 679 allegations. Of those complaints, 557 allegations were filed with SPD and 122 allegations were filed directly with OPSA. There were 264 complaint investigations completed during the year, closing a total of 627 allegations. Of those completed investigations, 157 complaints were originally filed in 2024, 104 were originally filed in 2023, and the remaining 3 complaints were from older 2022 cases. A total of 70 allegations were Sustained and referred to Police Command Staff for disciplinary action. 2024 Fire Case Review
OPSA documented 54 complaints of misconduct filed against the Sacramento Fire Department with a total of 188 allegations. Of those complaints, 149 allegations were filed with SFD, and 39 allegations were filed directly with OPSA. There were 53 complaints investigated and completed by the Sacramento Fire Department’s Professional Standards Unit giving dispositions to 158 allegations. Of those completed investigations, 40 complaints were originally filed in 2024, 12 complaints were originally filed in 2023, and the remaining case was filed in 2022. A total of 23 allegations were Sustained and referred to Fire Command Staff for disciplinary action.

Table 3: SPD Cases Reviewed by OPSA
Annual Totals
Reviewed 107
Not Reviewed 117
*The percentage for completed investigations reviewed by the OPSA does not include any complaints that were classified as a ‘914S’ by SPD. The computer aided dispatch (CAD) code ‘914S’ is defined as a ‘Supervisor Message’ and pertains to a complaint or issue that does not meet the criteria that warrants an Internal Affairs investigation.

24 Chart 1: Cases Reviewed vs. Not Reviewed by OPSA
Chart 1 reflects OPSA conducted a full formal review of 48% of all complaints filed against SPD. After an initial screening by the Director, the remaining 52% of cases did not receive additional OPSA review. OPSA fully reviewed 100% of all complaints file d against SFD. Note that one case can include multiple allegations against multiple individuals.
48%
52%

POLICES CASES
Reviewed
Not Reviewed
100%

FIRE CASES
Reviewed

25 Review Process

Investigative Materials
sent to OPSA for
Review
Agree
Case Closed
Disagree
Case Discussion with
Internal Affairs/
Professional Standards
Not Revised
Further
Investigation
Agree
Revised/
Recommendation
Accepted
Case Closed
Disagree
Meeting between
Director & Police/Fire
Administration
Agree
Revised/
Recommendation
Accepted
Case Closed
Disagree
Director-Memo to City
Manager generated
documenting
disagreement with
completed
investigation
(Mayor/Council cc’d)
City Manager Decision
Case Closed
Revised
Case Closed

26 Office of Public Safety Accountability – Inspector
General
Under the direction of the Director of the Office of Public Safety Accountability, the Inspector General (IG) conducts concurrent independent investigations of officer-involved shootings, deaths while in police custody, and police use-of-force incidents resulting in serious bodily injury. Upon completion of the investigations, the IG will report the respective findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the City of Sacramento City Council, the Sacramento Community Review Police Commission, and the public.

The IG’s primary responsibility is serving in an on-call capacity responding to critical incidents involving the City of Sacramento public safety personnel. In this reporting period, the IG responded to one officer-involved shooting, two death in custody investigations, and initiated independent investigations.

27 Table 4: SPD Officer-Involved Shooting & Death in
Custody Incidents

INCIDENT CALL FOR

SERVICE DATE LOCATION STATUS
Death in
Custody
Suspicious
Subject 07/23/2024 3600 Block of Jasmine Street
Incomplete
Officer-
involved
Shooting
Suspicious
Vehicle 09/14/2024 Beloit Drive and Bell Avenue
Incomplete
Death in
Custody
Subject
Trespassing 11/16/2024 3600 Block of Fulton Avenue Incomplete **The 2024 critical incident investigations outlined above are inactive and incomplete due to the OPSA Inspector General terminating employment with the City of Sacramento.

28 Critical Incidents
Death in Custody Investigation – 3600 Block of Jasmine Street

On July 23, 2024, just before 4:30 p.m., Sacramento Police Department patrol officers responded to a welfare check in the 3600 block of Jasmine Street. A family member reported that an individual was under the influence of narcotics and potentially going to harm himself. When officers arrived on scene, they located a male white adult (51 years old) matching the description given on the call, sitting nearby holding a knife. The individual threw the knife in the street, fled from officers, and entered a nearby parked vehicle. Officers continued to talk with the individual in an effort to de-escalate the situation. Ultimately, officers were able to remove him from the vehicle. The individual was detained in handcuffs and placed in the back seat of a patrol vehicle. As a precaution, officers requested the Sacramento Fire Department respond to evaluate the individual. The individual became unresponsive, and emergency medical aid was performed by Sacramento Fire personnel. The individual was transported to an area hospital, where unfortunately he was pronounced deceased.

Due to the male having a medical emergency while detained by our officers, the department initiated a death-in-custody investigation. Homicide Detectives responded to the scene and worked closely with Crime Scene Investigators to determine the circumstances of this incident.

The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office released the identity of the deceased after next of kin were notified.

This incident was investigated by the Sacramento Police Department’s Homicide unit, Internal Affairs Division, and Professional Standards Unit. The Office of Public Safety Accountability and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office provided oversight by monitoring the investigation. This incident falls under the City Council policy on video release. As a result, all pertinent video and audio associated with this incident was released to the public within 30 days.

29 Officer-Involved Shooting – Beloit Drive & Bell Avenue On September 14, 2024, at approximately 4:31 p.m., Sacramento Police Department patrol officers observed a suspicious vehicle with suspended registration in the area of Beloit Drive and Bell Avenue. An individual believed to be associated with the vehicle abandoned the car prior to officers contacting him. Officers located the individual who was hiding on the roof of a nearby RV. Officers verbally contacted the individual who spontaneously jumped from the top of the RV in an attempt to flee. Officers attempted to detain the individual and during that time an officer-involved shooting occurred.

Officers rendered emergency medical aid to the individual who was transported to an area hospital for his injuries and is currently in stable condition. An officer sustained minor injuries during this incident.

The individual was held for an outstanding felony no-bail warrant for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

This incident was investigated by the Sacramento Police Department's Homicide Unit, Internal Affairs Division, and Professional Standards Unit. An investigation into the incident was also conducted by the Force Investigation Team. The investigation focused on policy, tactics, and training as it relates to the use of force. The Office of Public Safety Accountability and the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office are provided oversight by monitoring the investigation.

This incident falls under the City Council’s policy on Police Use of Force as well as SB 1421. As a result, all pertinent video and audio associated with this incident was released to the public within 30 days.

30 Death in Custody Investigation – 3600 Block of Fulton Avenue

On November 16, 2024, Sacramento Police Department patrol officers responded to a call of a woman trespassing on private property in the 3600 block of Fulton Avenue. Private security reported that she had been on the property for several days. Sacramento Police officers issued her a written notice of trespass.

On November 17, 2024, just after 7:00 a.m., officers responded to the same location regarding the same woman. Private security reported that she was inside of a vehicle in the parking lot and was still refusing to leave. Officers contacted the woman and told her that she needed to leave the property. She indicated that she was having vehicle issues, so officers requested a tow to assist her. Officers left the scene once the tow was requested.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., an officer returned and found the woman still on the property.

The woman had declined assistance from the tow company that was called earlier. For nearly an hour, the officer asked the woman to leave the property and offered tr ansportation and shelter options, however she repeatedly declined to accept assistance or leave the property.

The officer placed the woman under arrest for trespassing. Following a brief struggle, she was handcuffed, placed in the back seat of a patrol vehicle, and became unresponsive. The officer asked for medical assistance for the woman and the Sacramento Metro Fire Department responded. The female was transported to an area hospital where she remained for medical treatment. On November 24, 2024, the female was pronounced deceased.

Due to the female having a medical emergency while being detained by our officers, the department initiated a death-in-custody investigation.

The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office released the identity of the deceased after next of kin have been notified.

This incident is being investigated by the Sacramento Police Department’s Homicide unit, Internal Affairs Division, and Professional Standards Unit. The Office of Public Safety Accountability and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office are provided oversight by monitoring the investigation. This incident falls under the City Council policy on video release. As a result, all pertinent video and audio associated with this incident was released to the public within 30 days.

31 Inspector General Police Case Review
In addition to critical incident response and conducting independent investigations, the IG is responsible for the inspection, review, and research of all aspects of complaint investigations regarding allegations of misconduct by public safety personnel. The chart below depicts the total number of cases in which the IG reviewed during this reporting period.

Chart 2 - SPD Cases Reviewed by the Inspector General

Chart 2 shows the percentage of 2024 police misconduct cases personally reviewed by the Inspector General (IG). The IG reviewed 82 of the 107 SPD complaint cases. The remaining misconduct cases were reviewed by other OPSA personnel.

Reviewed by IG
77%
Reviewed
Not Reviewed

32 Sacramento Police Department
Complaint Process
When a member of the public makes a complaint against a public safety employee, there must be a policy violation as well as behavior that falls into at least one of the allegation definitions listed on page 20.

OPSA lists all complaint allegations made in this report. One misconduct complaint investigation can have several allegations listed and more than one officer accused. Once the complaint is received, the Internal Affairs Division (IAD) starts a preliminary investigation into the complaint.

The complainant is interviewed to determine which policies the employee may have violated.

Often the IAD investigator will review body worn camera footage to determine if the video can resolve the complaint in the preliminary stages. If there are no violations of policy seen, the IAD investigator will explain to the complainant why the officer’s behavior does not violate policy and may offer to watch the body worn camera footage with the complainant.

The Internal Investigations Manual published effective August 1, 2019, requires that all complaints be investigated and documented on a Personnel Complaint Form (SPD 330). OPSA receives notification of all complaints received by SPD and continues to send c omplaints submitted to OPSA to IAD for investigation.

For completed complaint investigations, each allegation of misconduct receives a disposition and complaint dispositions are documented on a Personnel Complaint Disposition Form (SPD 332).

Even frivolous complaints will be given a disposition of “Unfounded” and tracked by both IAD and OPSA. The disposition types and definitions can be found on page 32. When there is a violation of policy, disciplinary action is issued by the department’s administration and those actions can be found in Chart 9 on page 34. OPSA has broad authority to review investigations upon completion, agree or disagree with the findings of the investigation, request the further investigation to be performed, as well as make recommendations regarding future investigations, policies, and practices.

33 Police Complaint Classifications and Allegations
Complaints are allegations of misconduct against any Department employee involving a violation of any law, rule, regulation, policy, or other improper job performance.

The following is a list of complaint classifications and their definitions (SPD Internal Investigations Manual updated 1/17/23). More than one classification can be attached to a complaint.

CONDUCT UNBECOMING AN EMPLOYEE –
Behavior that is malicious, criminal, brings
discredit upon the department, or fails to follow
ordinary and reasonable rules of good conduct
while on or off duty.

DISCOURTESY – Rude or abusive actions
directed towards another person.

DISCRIMINATION – Actions or misconduct
due to the race, ethnicity, nationality, gender,
age, religion, gender identity or expression,
sexual orientation, or mental or physical
disability of any person.

DISHONESTY – Knowingly giving false or
misleading information.

FALSE ARREST – Removal of personal liberty
without proper authority or legal justification.

FIREARM DISCHARGE – Anytime a firearm is
discharged in violation of Department policy.

FORCE – Any unreasonable amount of force,
ranging from any physical contact to use of any
weapon.

HARASSMENT – Any unsolicited or
unwarranted employee action or conduct that
reasonably appears meant to annoy, threaten,
intimidate, or alarm any person.

IMPROPER SEARCH AND SEIZURE – A
detention, arrest, search, or seizure of an
individual’s person or property that is unlawful
or in violation of Department policy.

IMPROPER TACTICS – Procedures utilized by
an employee that are different from approved
practices or procedures.

IN-CUSTODY DEATH – Administrative
review of an in-custody death incident.

INSUBORDINATION – Failure or refusal to
follow a lawful written or verbal order issued by
a superior.

INTOXICATION – On-duty personnel under
the influence of any intoxicant.

MISSING PROPERTY – Property that has been
in the custody of an employee and becomes
unaccounted for or missing. This also includes
the misappropriation or theft of funds or
property.

NEGLECT OF DUTY – The failure to perform a
required duty.

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING –
Administrative review of an officer involved
shooting incident.

PROFILING – The consideration or reliance on
actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity,
national origin, age, religion, gender identity or
expression, sexual orientation, or mental or
physical disability when deciding to subject a
person to law enforcement activities. However,
an officer may consider or rely on characteristics
listed in a specific suspect description.

SERVICE – The failure to adequately provide
timely and required police action.

TRAFFIC – Improper or illegal driving by an
employee.

WAGE GARNISHMENT – Failure to pay just
debts

34 Chart 3: SPD & OPSA Allegation Comparison 2017-2024

Chart 3 compares the total complaint allegations received by OPSA and SPD from 2017 through 2024. The significant increase from 2017 to 2019 correlates with complaint documentation changes that resulted from DOJ recommendations.

Chart 4: SPD Complaint Comparison 2020-2024

Chart 4 compares the total complaints concerning SPD from 2020 through 2024 – prior to 2020, complaint cases were tracked alternatively.
246 253
575
711
629
900
674
557
99 102
163
83 78 48 60
122
0 100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

NUMBER OF ALLEGATIONS
YEAR
SPD
OPSA
313
289
306
297
294
275
280
285
290
295
300
305
310
315
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS
YEAR

35 Chart 5: SPD Allegation Breakdown 2024

Chart 5 identifies the 557 misconduct allegations that were filed directly with SPD against police personnel during this reporting period.

Chart 6: OPSA Allegation Breakdown 2024

Chart 6 identifies the 122 misconduct allegations that were filed with OPSA against police personnel during this reporting period.

These allegations were evaluated with OPSA receiving the preliminary complaint information and discussed or forwarded to SPD for investigation, as needed. Note: one investigation could include multiple allegations.

28 75
16 34
23 2
49 21
41 19
2 18
123
5 94
7 0
20 40
60 80
100
120
140NUMBER OF ALLEGATIONS

TYPE OF ALLEGATION
6 8
11 3
8 6
18 7
22 33
0 5
10 15
20 25
30 35

NUMBER OF ALLEGATIONS

TYPE OF ALLEGATION

36 Dispositions
Each allegation of misconduct shall receive one of the following dispositions:

SUSTAINED: Sufficient evidence supports the allegation against the employee(s).

NOT SUSTAINED: Sufficient evidence does not exist to clearly prove or disprove the allegation.

NOT ACTIONABLE: The alleged act occurred but did not warrant the imposition of discipline.

EXONERATED: The investigation clearly established that the alleged act occurred and was justified.

UNFOUNDED: The investigation clearly established that the alleged act did not occur, or the identified employee was not involved. This also includes frivolous complaints, which are found to be totally and completely without merit, or those for the sole purpose of harassing an employee.

Chart 7: SPD Allegation Dispositions

Chart 7 shows that of the 264 completed misconduct cases with a total of 627 allegations, 70 of the allegations were Sustained and referred to Police Command Staff for disciplinary action against employees.

51 2
30 70
474
0 50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Exonerated Not Actionable Not Sustained Sustained Unfounded

NUMBER OF ALLEGATIONS

DISPOSITION

37 Chart 8: SPD Dispositions by Allegation
Chart 8 shows the dispositions of the 627 allegations closed out in 2024. Of those completed investigations, 104 complaints were originally filed in 2023, and the remaining 3 complaints were filed in 2022. 9 2
4 7
17 11
1 1
1 1
3 7
2 1
2 8
6 7
3 23
2 4
4 3
1 4
6 13
101
7 57
9 36
44 24
33 1
18 25
18 75
26 0 20 40 60 80 100 120

NUMBER OF DISPOSITIONS

TYPE OF ALLEGATION
Exonerated
Not Actionable
Not Sustained
Sustained
Unfounded

38 Chart 9: SPD Discipline from Completed Investigations Chart 9 reflects the discipline imposed from misconduct investigations completed in 2024 according to data provided by Internal Affairs. Note: One case can result in multiple disciplinary actions against multiple employees.

5 4
8 5
9 5
14 0 5 10 15 20
Resigned Prior To Imposition of Discipline
Termination
Suspension
Retraining
Letter of Reprimand
Documented Counseling
Verbal Counseling

TYPE OF DISCIPLINE

NUMBER OF ACTIONS TAKEN

39 Sacramento Fire Department
Fire Complaint Allegations
COMPLAINT — Any complaint pertaining to SFD policies, rules, procedures, or employee conduct.

Misconduct complaints include, but are not limited to, allegations of:

CRIMINAL OFFENSE - As statutorily
defined.

CITY EQUIPMENT - Any misuse of City
equipment.

CONDUCT UNBECOMING - Behavior
that is malicious or criminal or a failure to
follow ordinary and reasonable rules of
good conduct and behavior. This includes
any misconduct bringing discredit upon the
SFD.

DISCOURTESY - Rude or abusive actions
directed toward another person.

DISCRIMINATION - Allegations that the
employee’s actions or misconduct was due
to race, sex, religion, physical disability,
ethnicity, or sexual orientation of an
individual.

DISHONESTY - Misappropriation of funds,
property of the City or others, or giving
false, or misleading information.

HARASSMENT -Any action or conduct
including, but not limited to, the making of
threats of violence, physical intimidation,
verbal abuse, derogatory comments, sexual
demands, or an act of retaliation because of
the sex, race, ancestry, physical handicap,
medical condition, marital status, age, sexual
preference, or any other protected
characteristic of a citizen or employee.

IMPROPER TACTICS - Improper or
unapproved procedures and techniques
used by an employee, such as giving
inappropriate advice or taking in
appropriate action.

INSUBORDINATION - Failure or refusal to
follow a lawful written or verbal order of a
superior.

INTOXICATION - The use of intoxicants by
on-duty personnel.

MISSING PROPERTY - Property missing,
which has, at one time, been in the custody
or control of a member of the SFD.

NEGLECT OF DUTY - The failure to
perform a required duty.

SERVICE - The failure to provide adequate,
timely and required action.

TRAFFIC - Improper or illegal driving by
an employee.

THEFT - Fraudulently appropriating
without consent the personal property of
another individual or organization.

WAGE GARNISHMENT - Failure to pay
just debts.

40 Chart 10: SFD Complaint Comparison 2017-2024

Chart 10 compares the total complaints concerning SFD from 2017 through 2024.

Chart 11: SFD Allegation Comparison 2016-2024

Chart 11 compares the total complaint allegations received by SFD from 2016 through 2024. *This data includes 2016 and the first 6 months of 2017. Note: one investigation could include multiple allegations. 56 86
55 59
74 70
45 54
0 10
20 30
40 50
60 70
80 90
100
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS
YEAR
104
179
79 114
167
125 124
188
0 20
40 60
80 100
120
140
160
180
200
2016 - 2017* 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

NUMBER OF ALLEGATIONS
YEAR

41 Chart 12: SFD Allegation Breakdown 2024

Chart 12 identifies the breakdown of the 149 misconduct allegations filed against SFD employees during the period of this report. Note: There may be multiple allegations per investigation.

Chart 13: OPSA Allegation Breakdown 2024

Chart 13 identifies the 39 misconduct allegations that were filed with OPSA against fire personnel during this reporting period. These allegations were evaluated with OPSA receiving the preliminary complaint information and discussed or forwarded to SFD for investigation, as needed. Note: one investigation could include multiple allegations 3 12
1 36
11 17
1 11
14 6
17 19
1 0
5 10
15 20
25 30
35 40NUMBER OF ALLEGATIONS

TYPE OF ALLEGATION
5 6
1 10
7 9
1 0
2 4
6 8
10 12
Conduct
Unbecoming
Discourtesy Discrimination Improper
Tactics
Neglect of Duty Service Theft

NUMBER OF ALLEGATIONS

TYPE OF ALLEGATION

42 Chart 14: SFD Allegation Dispositions
Chart 14 shows that of the 53 completed misconduct cases with a total of 158 allegations, 23 of the allegations were Sustained and referred to Fire Command Staff for disciplinary action against employees.

Chart 15: SFD Dispositions by Allegation

Chart 15 shows that allegations of Discourtesy and Service were the most common complaint type made against Fire personnel in 2024.

14 3
10 2
29 1
11 1
1 11
2 1
2 5
1 15
7 3
3 6
10 14
1 1
3 1
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

NUMBER OF DISPOSITIONS

TYPE OF ALLEGATION
Not Sustained
Sustained
Unfounded
Within Policy
70 23
61 4
0 10
20 30
40 50
60 70
80 Not Sustained Sustained Unfounded Within Policy

NUMBER OF ALLEGATIONS

DISPOSITION

43 Chart 16: SFD Discipline from Completed Investigations Chart 16 reflects the discipline imposed from misconduct investigations completed in 2024 according to data provided by the Professional Standards Unit. Note: One case can result in multiple disciplinary actions against multiple employees 1 1
3 1
6 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Resignation
Termination
Suspension
Documented Counseling
Verbal or Supervisor Counseling

TYPE OF DISCIPLINE

NUMBER OF ACTIONS TAKEN

44 Annual Recommendations
Office of Public Safety Accountability
 OPSA must ensure newly hired personnel are properly trained in order to review 100% of misconduct allegations filed against Sacramento Police Department Personnel.  The Office of Public Safety Accountability must ensure all newly hired oversight practitioners are properly trained and successfully complete the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) Certified Practitioner of Oversight (CPO) Credential Program.  OPSA must continue to increase awareness, education, and community engagement throughout the City of Sacramento.*
Sacramento Police Department

General Recommendations
 Sacramento Police Department Internal Affairs Division personnel as well as supervising divisional personnel with ancillary duties involving the investigation of allegations of misconduct must receive proper training on investigative processes and procedures to ensure consistency and accuracy.  Sacramento Police Department internal investigations conducted by the Internal Affairs Division as well as internal investigations conducted by supervising personnel within an employee’s assigned division must be investigated impartially and thoroughly to ensure the most accurate findings.*

Policy Recommendations
 Sacramento Police Department must provide all draft versions of policies for review, specifically policies resulting from the audit conducted by OPSA, prior to the policies proceeding through the SPD approval process. OPSA must have sufficient time to review the proposed policies to ensure that the policies meet what was intended from the fully adopted recommendations in the 2023 audit.  Sacramento Police Department should implement all recommendations outlined in the OPSA 2023 audit report, An Audit of the Sacramento Police Department (SPD): Misconduct Complaint Cases – Improper Search and Seizure.*
Sacramento Fire Department
General Recommendations
 Sacramento Fire Department internal investigations conducted by the Professional Standards Unit as well as internal investigations conducted by supervising personnel within an employee’s assigned division must be investigated impartially and thoroughly to ensure the most accurate findings.

Specifically, Sacramento Fire Department battalion chiefs need to receive proper training on investigative processes and procedures.
 The Sacramento Fire Department Professional Standards Unit must properly document and track all complaint investigations and each allegation, including policy violations, for all personnel to ensure accurate reporting of public safety statistics.

45  The Sacramento Fire Department Professional Standards Unit must ensure that the Office of Public Safety Accountability receives all complaint investigation information for tracking, monitoring, and reviewing all complaint investigations of the Sacramento Fire Department.  The Sacramento Fire Department Professional Standards Unit must conduct internal investigations impartially and thoroughly to ensure the most accurate findings.*

Policy Recommendations
 The Sacramento Fire Department must standardize its investigative process ensuring that personnel involved in misconduct complaint cases complete F-68 memorandums to provide a detailed recollection of the alleged incident for thorough investigations to be conducted.  Sacramento Fire Department Professional Standards Division should update its operations manual from 2007. *
*Repeat recommendations that have not been completed by the departments.

46 Outside Jurisdiction
There were 26 complaints or inquiries reported to OPSA that were not attributed to misconduct allegations against Sacramento Police Department or Fire Department personnel. OPSA staff attempts to connect constituents with the proper agency or information to help resolve their issues regardless of it falling outside of the office’s scope of authority and responsibility.

47 Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY
ACCOUNTABILITY?
The Office of Public Safety Accountability
(OPSA) is a Mayor and City Council established
office whose main responsibilities are: (1) taking
in complaints from members of the public against
Sacramento Police (SPD) or Fire Department
(SFD) employees,
(2) makes sure that SPD and SFD investigates
those complaints thoroughly and fairly, and (3)
recommends improvements to SPD and SFD
policies and procedures.

WHY DOES OPSA MATTER?
OPSA helps keep SPD and SFD accountable to
the communities they serve by auditing the
investigations into claims of police or fire
employee(s) misconduct to ensure that those
investigations are fair and thorough. The work of
OPSA has resulted in improved d epartment
policies and increased transparency.

IS OPSA PART OF THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT? WHY SHOULD I TRUST
OPSA?
No. OPSA is not part of the police department.

The OPSA Director answers to the Mayor and
City Council. The Chief of Police answers to the
City Manager. The City Manager answers to the
Mayor and City Council.

You should trust OPSA because the office is
independent. OPSA is free to agree or disagree
with the decisions of SPD.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I THINK A PUBLIC

SAFETY EMPLOYEE DID SOMETHING
WRONG?
One of the things you can do is file a Misconduct
Complaint with OPSA.

WHAT IS A MISCONDUCT COMPLAINT?
A Misconduct Complaint is a statement from you
explaining why you think a City of Sacramento
public safety employee broke one (or more) of the
rules that the employee is required to follow and
requesting that the employee’s conduct be
investigated by the department. The SPD General
Orders are the Police Department’s policies
governing every aspect of their day -to-day
operations and actions. The SFD Manual of
Operations contains all policies and procedures
that fire personnel are required to follow.

WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW WHICH RULE
THE EMPLOYEE MAY HAVE VIOLATED?
There are many rules SPD and SFD personnel are
required to follow, and you do not need to know
them. If you have a question about whether a
certain kind of behavior by a public safety
employee is against the rules, you can contact
OPSA to ask.

DO I HAVE TO KNOW THE EMPLOYEE’S
NAME OR BADGE NUMBER?
No, you do not. While it is useful information, if
you do not have that information, you can still
file your complaint.

CAN I FILE A COMPLAINT WITH OPSA

AGAINST A PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEE

WHO IS NOT WITH THE SACRAMENTO
POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENT?
No. OPSA can only process your complaint if it is
about an SPD or SFD employee. Complaints
about public safety employees employed by
other law enforcement agencies cannot be filed
with OPSA. However, OPSA will do its best to
guide you to the proper authority.

WHO CAN FILE A MISCONDUCT
COMPLAINT WITH OPSA?
Any member of the public can file a Misconduct
Complaint about SPD or SFD personnel. You can
file a Misconduct Complaint about something
that happened to you or about something that
happened to somebody else. You can live in
Sacramento or outside the city. You can be a U.S.
citizen, or you can be an immigrant – with or
without papers. OPSA staff are fluent in English
but can access a translation service to assist in
taking your complaint if necessary.

You can also file a complaint if you are a
defendant in a criminal case; but if the case is
related to the complaint you want to tell us about,
we recommend that you talk to your lawyer first.

WILL I HAVE MORE PROBLEMS WITH

POLICE OR FIRE IF I FILE A MISCONDUCT
COMPLAINT?
No. SPD and SFD have strict rules that prohibit
personnel from retaliating against complainants.

48 HOW DO I FILE A COMPLAINT OR
COMMENDATION?
You can file a complaint or commendation by
email, regular mail, telephone, on our website,
or in person.

Please provide as much information as possible
regarding the incident, including:

1. Your contact information: Name, Address,
Phone Number(s).

2. Incident information: Date, Time, Location.

3. Employee(s) involved: Name and Badge
Number, if possible.

4. Unit involved: Fire Company, Fire Station,
and/or Fire Vehicle, if possible.

5. Description of the incident: Please provide as
much detail as possible.

6. Witness information: Name, Address, Phone
Number(s) of any witnesses to the incident.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I FILE A
MISCONDUCT COMPLAINT?
When a complaint is received by OPSA, it is
reviewed by the Director or staff and then
forwarded to Internal Affairs Division (IAD) of
SPD or to the Professional Standards Unit (PSU)
of SFD for a preliminary investigation. IAD or
PSU reviews and categorize s the complaint.

Sometimes a complaint can be resolved after
speaking to the complainant. In other instances, a
formal investigation is conducted. IAD has one
year to complete that investigation.

OPSA reviews completed formal investigations
for the final disposition as recommended by the
Police or Fire Chief.

IAD or PSU notifies the complainant(s) of the
case disposition(s). Throughout this process
OPSA is available to the complainant to provide
information and answer questions excluding
disclosure of any confidential or legally protected
information.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A MISCONDUCT

COMPLAINT AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL
EMPLOYEE, BUT I DON’T LIKE A PATTERN

I SEE WITH THE POLICE OR FIRE
DEPARTMENT?
You can file a policy complaint. Policy complaints
are not requests for individual personnel to be
investigated and disciplined. Instead, they are
requests that SPD or SFD change its policies or
procedures or adopt new ones. You can file a
policy complaint with OPSA.

I HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME.

WILL FILING A COMPLAINT AFFECT THE
CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST ME?
No. The complaint you file with us is separate
from your criminal case. OPSA cannot advise or
represent you on any legal matter

49 Meet the Office of Public Safety Accountability

50 51

52 53

54 55
Public Access to the City’s Complaint Process
Members of the public can file a misconduct complaint against Sacramento Police or Fire Department employees through OPSA or directly to the Police or Fire Department. Complaints made to OPSA can be filed by email, postal mail, telephone, in person or online using the Public Safety Complaint Form on the website. OPSA maintains a comprehensive, independent database of complaints received from the community. OPSA also collects data points to identify potential systemic issues and provide early warning of complaint trends.

56 The Office of Public Safety Accountability is a Mayor and City Council established office designed to improve the relationship between the City’s public safety departments and the community they protect and serve. We promote trust, excellence, transparency, and accountability through independent and impartial oversight of complaints related to public safety employee misconduct.

OPSA’s main responsibilities are to:
(1) receive complaints and commendations from members of the public regarding City of Sacramento Police (SPD) or Fire Department (SFD) employees; (2) review SPD and SFD complaint investigations for thoroughness and fairness, and (3) make recommendations for improvements to SPD and SFD policies and procedures.

The Director has broad oversight authority to evaluate the overall quality of SPD and SFD personnel performance and the authority to encourage systemic change.

OPSA is available to conduct presentations to a wide spectrum of community groups, schools, neighborhood meetings, civic organizations, State and National professional agencies and associations to make sure OPSA is known throughout the Sacramento community as a resource and provide information on how the Office can be utilized.

If you are interested in scheduling a brief presentation, please contact us.

Call: (916) 808-7525
Online: https://www.cityofsacramento.org/OPSA
Mail: 915 I Street, Historic City Hall 3rd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814