Except as provided in Section
2.85.030 below, the term of each member of the commission shall be four years and until a successor is appointed and qualified; however, terms shall be staggered and members shall be appointed to either an initial four-year or two-year term to allow for staggered terms. Terms shall expire in even numbered years. Terms of members of the commission appointed by an individual Councilmember shall coincide with the term of the councilmember who appointed them.
(Ord. 1630 § 2, 2022)
Commission members shall be limited to three consecutive terms.
For purposes of calculating consecutive terms, service of at least
two years plus one day during a term shall be counted as a complete
term; all prior continuous service of existing commission member shall
be counted. Upon serving the maximum number of consecutive terms,
a commission member shall not be eligible for re appointment to the
commission for a period of two years. If a vacancy occurs on the commission,
the alternate shall serve the remaining unexpired term of the former
incumbent. If an additional vacancy occurs, the city council shall
appoint an individual to serve the remaining unexpired term.
(Ord. 1630 § 2, 2022)
Each member of the commission shall receive training on topics
relevant to the commission’s roles and responsibilities as set
forth in this chapter, and as may be deemed necessary by the commission
from time to time. The city manager’s office shall be responsible
for arranging training of the commission.
(Ord. 1630 § 2, 2022)
Members of the commission shall be eligible for a stipend as provided for in Chapter
2.84.
(Ord. 1630 § 2, 2022)
Commission members are expected to attend all regular and special
commission meetings. Commission members may be removed by a majority
vote of the city council following three excused or two unexcused
absences for such meetings during the course of one fiscal year. An
absence is considered excused when a commission member notifies the
secretary of the intended absence at least twenty-four hours prior
to the scheduled meeting time. All other absences are considered unexcused.
(Ord. 1630 § 2, 2022)
The commission shall be an advisory body to the city manager
and city council on matters relating to community equity and safety,
applying an equity lens to community issues and fostering a sense
of safety. The commission’s role includes, but is not limited
to, carrying out and, as applicable, making recommendations to the
city manager with respect to the following tasks:
(a) The
commission will identify areas to improve equity, diversity, inclusion,
and belonging in all areas of city processes and public safety and
make appropriate recommendations to the city manager. Any policy or
procedure that is not simply administrative and is under city council’s
purview will be brought to city council for discussion and approval.
(b) The
commission will recommend appropriate changes of public safety and
equity policies and procedures toward the goals of safeguarding the
rights of persons and promoting higher standards of competency, efficiency
and justice in the provision of equitable community public safety
services.
(c) The
commission may recommend policies and practices and advocate for early
intervention strategies that minimize involvement of youth in the
criminal justice system.
(d) The
commission will act as a liaison between the community and city staff,
offering strategies to develop and implement sound community public
safety concepts, increase public awareness, and further efforts of
transparency and accountability.
(e) The
commission will utilize community voice not only to address concerns
regarding policing but also other equity and public safety arenas
that impact quality of life and safeguard against disaster, crime,
and other threats or danger to civilian protections.
(f) The
commission will connect with community networks and community based
organizations as necessary in pursuit of its goals.
(g) The
commission will periodically share its efforts externally through
updates on the city website and social media, through community meetings
or other outreach efforts as necessary, and through an annual written
report to the city manager and city council concerning its priorities
and progress. The report will include an annual work plan with progress
on initiatives.
(h) The
commission will promote positive police community relations in an
effort to provide better services and expectations from the community
and police.
(i) The
commission will provide an alternative channel for members of the
public to file a complaint regarding compliance with city policies
and applicable laws by city personnel, as follows:
(1) The commission will receive complaints regarding South San Francisco
personnel alleging failure to comply with city policies and applicable
laws. The commission shall refer such complaints to the city’s
human resources department.
(2) The commission will not investigate complaints received. In consultation
with the city attorney’s office, the human resources department
will determine the appropriate form of investigation and assign an
investigator.
(3) The complaint and investigation process shall be designed to respect
the rights of both complainants and the city personnel who is the
subject of the complaint, and shall comply with applicable Federal
and State law, including California laws governing general law cities
and
Government Code Section 3300 et seq., and bargaining agreements.
The complaint and investigation process shall also maintain the confidentiality
of the complainant to the extent possible.
(4) For complaints made directly to the commission, the commission may
receive updates only on the assignment of a complaint to an investigator
and the identity of the investigator, investigation completion date,
whether the complaint was substantiated, and any remedial actions
taken. “Remedial actions” do not include discipline or
other personnel info, but may include certain remedy to the complainant
such as, for example only, whether a citation is dismissed.
(5) The foregoing process shall not alter existing procedures relating
to filing complaints with the city. Complaints made by city personnel
related to matters within the course of employment shall be made in
accordance with the city’s existing policies and procedures.
(6) The city council may adopt additional policies and procedures governing
the commission’s receipt, referral, and review of complaints.
(j) In
instances where investigatory files and related material are considered
public records under California
Penal Code Sections 832.5 and 832.7,
the commission shall have the ability to review records and files
relating to the investigation and the outcome of the investigation
when the records, files or outcome are considered public records.
Such records and files shall only be provided to the commission upon
conclusion of the investigation or after all administrative and judicial
appeals have been exhausted, if required by applicable State law.
The commission may ask questions and make policy recommendations
for future investigations, but in no event shall the commission make
independent decisions, or determine or make recommendations regarding
specific disciplinary actions or related outcomes.
(k) The
commission will review data related to equity and public safety.
(l) The
commission will submit a yearly work plan to the city manager and
city council in order to ensure a manageable scope of work. The commission
will also submit an annual report including the work plan and progress
made on initiatives.
(Ord. 1630 § 2, 2022)