HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2308-18943.Bi-Annual Discussion with the Independent Police Auditor Presentation
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: STUDY SESSION
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: October 16, 2023
Report #:2308-1894
TITLE
Bi-Annual Discussion with the Independent Police Auditor
RECOMMENDATION
This Study Session is a bi-annual opportunity for Council discussion with the Independent Police
Auditor. There is no recommended action.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
This is the study session with the City’s Independent Police Auditor (IPA) from the
representatives of the OIR Group, the City’s contracted consultant for the Independent Police
Auditor function. It is the second of two discussions in this calendar year. The previous
discussion took place with the City Council on June 12, 2023.1
Purpose: In the amended contract with the OIR group, it states the following related to the IPA
meetings with the City Council:
Beginning in the second half of 2021, CONSULTANT shall meet with the City Council two
times per year to discuss trends in criminal justice and policing, policy and training
matters, recommendations made by CONSULTANT, and other Council concerns.
CONSULTANT’S conferences with Council are not for the purpose of elaborating on
published reviews of specific incidents and shall not include discussion of personnel
matters prohibited by law. Semi-annual conferences shall be scheduled after publication
of the CONSULTANT’S report, according to availability of Council and the CONSULTANT.
Consistent with the description above, Council discussion with the IPA is not focused on the
most recent report from OIR. However, for ease in reference, the most recent report was
issued as an Informational Report on the September 18, 2023 City Council packet2.
1 June 12, 2023 City Council meeting item #3:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=12536
2 September 18, 2023 City Council meeting item #11:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/meetings/ItemWithTemplateType?id=3163&meetingTemplateType=2
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
No additional funds are needed for this study session.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The discussion with the City Council is an opportunity for the public to also share feedback
related to issues covered by the IPA.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is not a project.
APPROVED BY:
Ed Shikada, City Manager
PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL: REPORT
AND UPDATE FROM INDEPENDENT
POLICE AUDITOR
October 16, 2023
1
OIR GROUP
•IPA for the City of Palo Alto
•Semi-Annual Audit Reports re PAPD
internal review systems
•Last Council appearance in June of 2023
2
Latest Semi-Annual Report: Cases
completed in first half of 2023
•One external complaint
•2 force incidents
•5 “standalone” Pointed Firearm incidents
•5 IPA recommendations
3
Summary of Findings
•Lone public complaint was unfounded
•Minimal force deployments during this review cycle
•Vehicle pursuit/foot pursuit/use of force: importance of
accurate and rigorous supervisory review
4
Pursuit Case: A Closer Look
5
•Multi-faceted incident involving successful apprehension
of adult female subject
•Internal review by PAPD: strengths and limitations
•IPA issues and recommendations re process (not
findings)
Pointed Firearm Incidents
•PAPD’s “evolving system” of identification and review
•All instances were evaluated and found to be consistent
with training and policy
•IPA rec: “Supervisory memos as opportunity for holistic
assessment”
6
Questions/Discussion
7