HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2504-4482CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Monday, April 21, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
3.Semi-Annual City Council Discussion with the Independent Police Auditor (IPA) Staff
Presentation
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City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: STUDY SESSION
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: April 21, 2025
Report #:2504-4482
TITLE
Semi-Annual City Council Discussion with the Independent Police Auditor (IPA)
RECOMMENDATION
This Study Session is a semi-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 first of two discussions in this calendar year. The previous discussion
took place with the City Council on November 18, 2024.1
Purpose: In the amended contract scope 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 City Council concerns.
CONSULTANT’S conferences with City 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 City Council and the
CONSULTANT.
Consistent with the description above, the City Council discussion with the IPA is not directly
focused on the OIR review of specific cases. While the most recent report from OIR Group is
included as an informational report in this same April 21, 2025 packet, the discussions between
1 November 18, 2024 City Council meeting, Item #1:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=14487
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the Consultant and City Council are not for the purpose of elaborating on published reviews of
specific incidents and should not include discussion of personnel matters prohibited by law. The
IPA will be discussing general topics the City Council expressed interest in periodically
discussing.
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.
APPROVED BY:
Ed Shikada, City Manager
PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL: REPORT
AND UPDATE FROM INDEPENDENT
POLICE AUDITOR
April 21, 2025
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OIR GROUP
•IPA for the City of Palo Alto
•Semi-Annual Audit Reports re PAPD
internal review systems
•Last Council appearance in November
2024
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Latest Semi-Annual Report: Cases from
second half of 2024
•Five public complaints of misconduct
•One internally generated complaint
•4 “Pointed Firearm” incidents
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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
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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
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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
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Questions/Discussion
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