19th-quarterly-report.pdf
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Nineteenth Quarterly Report of the Independent Monitor
for the Oakland Police Department
October 30, 2014
Page 45
board, the conduct of the board, the information to be memorialized and follow-up actions, if
warranted. We reviewed the reports that were prepared for the one incident that was heard by
the board during the current reporting period. The required attendees were present. After review
and deliberations, the board determined that the subject officers’ actions in the one assessed case
were in compliance with Departmental policy. The Chief of Police endorsed the EFRB findings
within 60 days of the board’s decision. The board assessed tactics, completed an analysis of
each application of force, noted investigative concerns, and training issues and directed the
required the appropriate corrective action.
Despite the Department’s technical adherence to these provisions, we have noted previously that
the board’s informality and lack of structure was not consistent with the conduct of a review
process of this nature. Over the past few months, we have seen great improvement in this area,
and we are continuing to provide technical assistance to the Department regarding the conduct of
these boards. As of the publication of this report, the revisions of DGO K-4.1, Force Review
Boards, which incorporate these changes formally, have been completed and adopted by the
Department (on May 14, 2014). The revised policy was distributed through PowerDMS, and
OPD members received the required training. Accordingly, OPD is in compliance with this
subtask.
OPD is in Phase 2 compliance with Task 30.
Compliance Status:
Phase 1: In compliance
Phase 2: In compliance
Next Steps:
Since the beginning of our tenure, we have requested – in meetings with OPD and in all of our
quarterly reports – that the Department schedule EFRBs during our quarterly site visits, so that
we may attend and observe the proceedings. We again request that the Department schedule any
EFRB hearings during our quarterly site visits; it is critical to our assessments that we be able to
observe and evaluate the EFRB process.