19th-quarterly-report.pdf

Nineteenth Quarterly Report of the Independent Monitor for the Oakland Police Department October 30, 2014 Page 25 and June 30, 2014. We also reviewed all complaints during this selected time period that were tagged by IAD as originating from an anonymous complainant, and complaints in which the complainant field in the database was blank, to determine whether any were made anonymously. Based on the above-listed criteria, we identified eight cases as potential anonymous complaints during this reporting period. After review, we determined that all were true anonymous complaints, and the complainants were not identified during the course of the investigations. Six of the eight complaints were received via telephone calls to the Communications Division. The other two were sent as unsigned letters via inter-Departmental mail. Where possible, complainants were asked to provide corroborating evidence. In most of the cases, the complainants terminated the contact before OPD could secure additional details of the complaint. However, the complaints were investigated to the extent reasonably possible as required by this subtask. IAD or field supervisors attempted to re-contact complainants if a callback number was available, even if the complainants expressly stated they wished to remain anonymous. Five of the eight cases were administratively closed. Each met the criteria for such closure, and most lacked the details to identify the specific alleged misconduct and/or OPD personnel involved in the incidents. Four of the five were classified as service complaints. Three involved a delayed response to calls for service. In the fourth, the complainant was upset that her parking complaint was referred to a non-emergency line. Three cases were investigated to the extent possible, and findings were reached. One involved a complaint against a dispatcher for asking “dumb questions.” In another, the complainant alleged that officers working an off-duty detail at the Coliseum were discourteous. In the third case, an anonymous letter writer alleged improper behavior by two command officers. OPD continues to provide citizens with informational business cards when their intent to file a complaint is unclear. The cards contain the information necessary to file a complaint at a later time if desired, and these citizen contacts are documented in a separate log in Communications. Like the Daily Incident Logs, these are forwarded to IAD – and the Monitoring Team – on a daily basis. This is the fourth reporting period in which this system has been used, and it appears to be having the desired effect of limiting those cases in which the complaint process is invoked unnecessarily. The Department remains in Phase 2 compliance with Task 7.3. Compliance Status: Phase 1: In compliance Phase 2: In compliance