ninth-report.pdf

Independent Monitoring Team Ninth Status Report of the Independent Monitor Delphine Allen, et al., v. City of Oakland, et al. May 13, 2006, to November 30, 2006 Page 3 During the course of our review of Task 16, it became apparent that no mechanism exists to ensure all Task 16 cases are identified absent extraordinary effort by IAD staff. IAD has developed a method for identifying these cases in the future. As a result, the IMT elected to postpone a formal compliance assessment and to meet with IAD staff to share our observations of cases reviewed to ensure a common understanding. OPD believes this task is redundant and may seek to have the NSA modified to remove this requirement. The IMT has agreed not to audit this task until OPD has had the opportunity to address its concerns about this NSA requirement. In addition, the IMT has agreed to meet with OPD regarding what cases constitute Task 16 cases prior to beginning any audit of this task. Audits of the remaining three tasks referenced above could not be completed during this reporting period due to lengthy delays in OPD’s production of the data necessary to conduct these reviews. As discussed below, these delays resulted from OPD’s continuing deficiencies in the manner in which OPD collects and manages data, including basic police operational data, such as arrest reports and officer schedules and assignments. III. OPD ACCOMPLISHMENTS & AREAS OF CONCERN A. OPD Accomplishments As discussed throughout this report, OPD continued to make meaningful progress in implementing the reforms. This progress is attributable to the hard work and dedication of many OPD staff members. Improvements in Internal Affairs System and Investigations During this review period, the IMT conducted an extensive assessment of OPD's internal investigations process and the Internal Affairs Division (IAD). This review included the assessment of hundreds of internal investigation files; IMT conversations with complainants; listening to tapes of IAD investigator conversations with complainants; observing IAD operations; site visits to the parking lot of PAB headquarters to see whether officers had complaint forms in their cars or on their persons; visits to locations throughout the city to see whether complaint forms and brochures were available to the public; and countless interviews and conversations with IAD investigators, command staff, and other OPD personnel. Our observations and analysis revealed that OPD's system for investigating complaints of misconduct has vastly improved and continues to improve on an almost daily basis. The considerable efforts of IAD investigators, support staff, supervisors, and commanders are evident in nearly every aspect of the work, from more professional and orderly offices and case files; more positive interactions with complainants and officers; more timely and thorough investigations; closer and more exacting supervision; better tracking of investigation status; and more careful analysis of evidence.