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 92 attended additional professional audit training. Additionally, OIG has developed a series of audit plans, criteria, and evaluation tools along with a schedule for conducting audits. During this reporting period, the IMT assessed OPD’s actual practice compliance with this task. OPD remains in compliance with Task 51. The NSA requires OPD to conduct six designated audits annually unless the timing of an IMT audit of the same area would make an OIG audit redundant or unnecessary. Due to lengthy delays in publishing directives related to internal investigations, citizen complaints, and use of force (policies in these areas were not published until December 2005 and February 2006), OIG was not able to audit the Department’s conformance with these new policies last year. However, in 2005, OIG completed the following audits: Arrest, Offense and Follow-up Investigation Reports (September 30, 2005); Personnel Reviews and Appraisals (September 30, 2005); Field Training Program (November 22, 2005); and MDT Audit (December 31, 2005). This year OIG has completed the following audits: OC Log and Checkout Procedures (March 30, 2006); Promotional Consideration (April 24, 2006); Personnel Arrested, Sued or Served (May 3, 2006); Transporting Detainees and Citizens (May 19, 2006); In-Service Training and Academy Training (August 29, 2006), and Community Policing Plan (November 17, 2006). OIG also has conducted on-going audits of IAD's complaint intake and investigation. OIG has two additional audits in progress (Use of Force and Span of Control) and anticipates completing them before or near the end of the year to be followed by a second MDT audit. In addition to these audits, OIG also has conducted a number of “mini-audits” or reviews of OPD practices, including narcotics arrest approvals, stop data collection, citizens signing police reforms, and community meeting attendance. Based on the audits conducted to date, OPD remains in compliance with Task 51.1. It has audited the areas required by the NSA, has conducted, or is presently conducting an audit in an acceptable substitute area. Task 51.2 establishes the minimum substantive requirements for the audits conducted by OPD. In particular, the NSA requires OPD’s review of documents to include, at minimum, review for completeness of the information contained; and an examination for inappropriate “boilerplate” language, inconsistent information, or lack of articulation of the legal basis for the applicable action. OIG’s audits have met and far exceeded these minimum requirements. In addition to conducting this review, each of OIG’s audits have endeavored to evaluate whether OPD’s practices are consistent with OPD’s policies and procedures, including those required by the NSA. These audits have identified deficiencies and proposed thoughtful recommendations for improvement. Accordingly, OPD is in compliance with Task 51.2. Task 51.3 requires OPD to report the results of its audits in its semi-annual compliance reports. OPD’s combined Fifth and Sixth Semi-annual Compliance Report and its Seventh Semi-annual Compliance report discuss the results of OPD’s audits. Accordingly, OPD is in compliance with Task 51.3.