Executive Summary
SFPD San Francisco Police Department
Key Findings: During Q1 2025, the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability received 226 SFPD complaints involving 447 allegations. The DPA closed 228 SFPD cases during the quarter, with an average processing time of 92 days. The majority of SFPD complaints (34.1%) were submitted online, with Neglect of Duty being the most common allegation type (46.8%). The DPA sustained 15 allegations across 6 SFPD cases, with a sustained rate of 3.36%.
SFSO San Francisco Sheriff's Office
SFSO Key Findings: During Q1 2025, the DPA received 10 SFSO complaints involving 13 allegations and 10 complainants (all identified). The DPA closed 6 SFSO cases during the quarter. The majority of SFSO allegations (92.3%) involved claims of misconduct by SFSO personnel. Following the investigation, there were no findings of improper conduct against SFSO personnel in Q1 2025, with 53.8% of allegations exonerated (meaning the conduct occurred but was found to be justified, lawful, and proper).
Three-Year Comparison and Trends
Tracking Progress Over Time - SFPD Focus
This section compares Q1 SFPD data across three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025), revealing important trends in complaint volume, investigation outcomes, and department performance.
SFPD Key Performance Metrics - 3-Year Trends
| Metric | Trend | Q1 2023 | Q1 2024 | Q1 2025 | % Change (2024 vs 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints Opened | 191 | 164 | 226 | +37.8% | |
| Allegations | 453 | 306 | 447 | +46.56% | |
| Cases Closed | 181 | 195 | 228 | +16.9% | |
| Sustained Cases | 12 | 20 | 6 | -70.0% | |
| Sustained Allegations | 30 | 44 | 15 | -65.9% | |
| Sustained Rate | 6.0% | 7.6% | 3.36% | -48.7% | |
| Avg Processing Days | 89 | 98 | 92 | -6.1% | |
| Cases Pending | 285 | 278 | 228 | -17.63% | |
| Identified Complainant Rate | 99.0% | 98.0% | 80.5% | -17.5% |
Stacked view of quarterly complaint volumes across three years showing seasonal patterns and year-over-year growth
| Quarter | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Q Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 (Jan-Mar) | 191 | 164 | 226 | 194 |
| Q2 (Apr-Jun) | 188 | 204 | — | 196 |
| Q3 (Jul-Sep) | 200 | 175 | — | 188 |
| Q4 (Oct-Dec) | 206 | 194 | — | 200 |
| Year Total | 785 | 737 | 226 | 583 |
SFPD Top SFPD Stations - 3-Year Comparison
Geographic patterns of complaints over time reveal which districts experience consistently high volumes and may benefit from targeted interventions or additional resources.
| SFPD Station | 3-Year Trend | Q1 2023 | Q1 2024 | Q1 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenderloin | 15 | 18 | 28 | |
| Southern | 15 | 17 | 26 | |
| Central | 13 | 16 | 22 | |
| Mission | 13 | 20 | 21 | |
| Northern | 12 | 13 | 21 |
Trend Analysis: Key Insights
Complaint Volume Changes: The volume of complaints shows a significant fluctuation over the past three years. After a 14.1% decrease from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024, complaints surged by 37.8% in Q1 2025, reaching the highest level for the first quarter in this period.
Complaint and Investigation Analysis
Complaint Submission Methods - Combined Analysis
SFPD complaints favor online and phone submissions (62%), while SFSO complaints in Q1 2025 were primarily received through referrals (60%).
| Submission Method | SFPD | SFSO | Combined Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | 77 (34.1%) | 1 (10.0%) | 78 (33.1%) |
| Phone | 63 (27.9%) | 0 (0%) | 63 (26.7%) |
| Referral | 42 (18.6%) | 6 (60.0%) | 48 (20.3%) |
| Other | 21 (9.3%) | 1 (10.0%) | 22 (9.3%) |
| In Person | 17 (7.5%) | 1 (10.0%) | 18 (7.6%) |
| 6 (2.7%) | 1 (10.0%) | 7 (3.0%) | |
| Total | 226 (100%) | 10 (100%) | 236 (100%) |
Submission Method Analysis
SFPD Patterns: Digital accessibility remains strong with 34.1% online and 27.9% phone submissions. Referrals (18.6%) indicate strong inter-agency coordination.
SFSO Patterns: With only 10 complaints, SFSO submissions came primarily through referrals (60%), with single complaints via online, mail, in-person, and other methods.
Combined Impact: The DPA received 236 complaints through multiple channels, ensuring accessibility for both community members and individuals in custody.
Complainant Demographics
Identified vs. Anonymous Complaints - Combined
Of the 236 complaints received across both departments, 192 (81.4%) were filed by identified complainants, while 44 (18.6%) were submitted anonymously. SFPD: 182 identified (80.5%), 44 anonymous (19.5%). SFSO: 10 identified (100%), 0 anonymous (0%). This demonstrates strong community willingness to engage with the accountability process across both departments.
Gender Demographics - Combined Data
| Gender | SFPD | SFSO | Combined Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 81 (35.8%) | 6 (60.0%) | 87 (36.9%) |
| Declined to State | 99 (43.8%) | 3 (30.0%) | 102 (43.2%) |
| Female | 43 (19.0%) | 1 (10.0%) | 44 (18.6%) |
| Genderqueer/Non-binary | 2 (0.9%) | 0 (0%) | 2 (0.8%) |
| Transgender | 1 (0.4%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (0.4%) |
| Total | 226 (100%) | 10 (100%) | 236 (100%) |
Race/Ethnicity Demographics - Combined Data
| Race/Ethnicity | SFPD | SFSO | Combined Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Declined to State | 109 (48.2%) | 4 (40.0%) | 113 (47.9%) |
| White | 40 (17.7%) | 1 (10.0%) | 41 (17.4%) |
| Hispanic or Latinx | 23 (10.2%) | 3 (30.0%) | 26 (11.0%) |
| Black or African American | 23 (10.2%) | 1 (10.0%) | 24 (10.2%) |
| Asian | 18 (8.0%) | 0 (0%) | 18 (7.6%) |
| Other | 13 (5.8%) | 1 (10.0%) | 14 (5.9%) |
| Total | 226 (100%) | 10 (100%) | 236 (100%) |
Demographic Analysis
Key Observations: With a small sample size of 10 SFSO complaints in Q1, demographic patterns should be interpreted cautiously. The SFSO complainants were 60% male and 30% declined to state, with 30% identifying as Hispanic/Latinx. SFPD complaints continue to show patterns consistent with broader community engagement. Both departments show privacy-conscious complainants with significant percentages declining to provide demographic information. Note: "Identified" complainants refers to individuals who provided their name when filing a complaint, as opposed to "anonymous" complaints where no identifying information was provided.
SFPD Allegation Types and Investigation Outcomes
SFPD SFPD Processing Time Achievement
Performance: The DPA achieved an average SFPD case processing time of 92 days in Q1 2025, significantly under the 180-day target. This represents a 48.9% improvement over the target. The DPA maintained 100% compliance with the Government Code 3304 one-year deadline for completing investigations.
SFPD SFPD Allegation Types and Findings
Neglect of Duty was the most frequent SFPD allegation, making up 46.8% of all SFPD allegations. This was also the most common finding in sustained cases. The overall sustained rate of 3.36% is consistent with national averages for civilian oversight agencies.
| Allegation Type | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Neglect of Duty | 183 | 46.8% |
| Conduct Unbecoming | 81 | 20.7% |
| Unwarranted Action | 60 | 15.3% |
| Unnecessary Force | 16 | 4.1% |
| Policy/Procedure | 3 | 0.8% |
Investigation Outcomes by Allegation Type
The DPA completed investigations on 447 allegations during Q1 2025, with findings ranging from "Proper Conduct" to "Improper Conduct" (sustained). The table below shows how each type of allegation was resolved, providing transparency into the investigative process and outcomes.
| Finding | Conduct Unbecoming | Informational | Neglect of Duty | Referral | Unwarranted Action | Use of Force | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | 3 | - | 12 | - | 3 | 3 | 21 |
| Improper Conduct (Sustained)* | 5 | - | 9 | - | - | 1 | 15 |
| Info | 1 | 16 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 19 |
| Insufficient Evidence | 25 | - | 11 | - | 2 | 3 | 41 |
| Mediated | 1 | - | 3 | - | 1 | - | 5 |
| No Finding | 20 | - | 30 | - | 5 | - | 55 |
| Policy Failure | - | - | 9 | - | - | - | 9 |
| Proper Conduct | 26 | - | 68 | - | 45 | 29 | 168 |
| Referral | - | - | 6 | 51 | 1 | - | 58 |
| Unfounded | 24 | - | 17 | - | 2 | 2 | 45 |
| Withdrawn | 3 | - | 6 | - | 2 | - | 11 |
| Total | 108 | 16 | 172 | 52 | 61 | 38 | 447 |
*See Sustained Cases section for detailed case summaries and DPA recommendations.
Key Findings Analysis
Investigation Findings: 168 allegations (37.5%) were found to be proper conduct. Sustained Findings: 15 allegations across 6 cases (3.36%) were sustained as "Improper Conduct," meeting the threshold for disciplinary action. Policy and Supervision Issues: 9 allegations resulted in a policy failure.
Sustained Cases
Cases Where Improper Conduct Was Found
During Q1 2025, the DPA sustained 15 allegations across 6 cases, meaning the investigation found sufficient evidence that misconduct occurred and violated SFPD policy. Each case summary provides context while protecting privacy.
| # | Police Station | Case Summary | DPA Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Station | The officer received the complainant's wallet and keys and placed them in a property bag. The officer then transported the complainant and his bulk property to the district station for citation and release. | The DPA recommended the officer receive an admonishment. |
| 2 | Central Station | An officer was rude and mocked the complainant's disability. Two supervising officers failed to take a complaint. | The DPA recommended the officers receive admonishments and a 1-day suspension. |
| 3 | Northern Station | The officer failed to take required action regarding a domestic violence incident and behaved inappropriately. | The DPA recommended the officer receive a written reprimand. |
| 4 | Northern Station | An officer behaved inappropriately, challenged the complainant to fight, failed to timely activate his body-worn camera or provide their name and star number, and failed to report a personal conflict of interest. | The DPA recommended the officer receive a 3-day suspension. |
| 5 | Tenderloin Station | The officer behaved inappropriately towards a bystander. | The DPA recommended the officer receive a written reprimand. |
| 6 | Southern | The officers responded to a well-being check involving an individual in a vehicle. Upon arrival, the officer contacted the complainant and behaved aggressively—threatening to break the window, drag the individual out, throw him to the ground, and use pepper spray if he didn't exit. The officer failed to use de-escalation tactics as required by Department General Order (DGO) 5.01, and the conduct did not align with the guidelines in DGO 2.01. | The DPA recommended an officer receive a 1-day suspension and another receive an admonishment. |
SFPD Station Distribution
Cases Closed by SFPD Station
The distribution of cases closed across SFPD Stations reflects where incidents leading to complaints occurred geographically during Q1 2025. This data should not be interpreted as a measure of station or officer performance. Tenderloin Station had the highest number of cases closed (28), followed by Southern Station (26) and Central Station (22). Cases were distributed across all areas of the city, with referrals and informational cases comprising a significant portion of the total.
| SFPD Station | DPA Cases Closed | % of DPA Total |
|---|---|---|
| Tenderloin | 28 | 12.28% |
| Southern | 26 | 11.4% |
| Central | 22 | 9.65% |
| Mission | 21 | 9.21% |
| Northern | 21 | 9.21% |
| Ingleside | 11 | 4.82% |
| Taraval | 11 | 4.82% |
| Park | 7 | 3.07% |
| Richmond | 6 | 2.63% |
| Bayview | 3 | 1.32% |
| Airport Bureau | 4 | 1.75% |
| Not Applicable/Info | 21 | 9.21% |
| Unknown/Referral | 47 | 20.61% |
| Total | 228 | 100.00% |
Geographic Pattern Analysis
Case Distribution: Tenderloin (28), Southern (26), and Central (22) stations account for 33.3% of all cases closed, reflecting where complaints originated in Q1 2025. Referrals and Administrative: A significant portion (29.8%) consists of referrals and informational cases, indicating inter-agency coordination and comprehensive case categorization.
SFSO Oversight - Q1 2025
SFSO SFSO Oversight
The DPA has investigated certain types of serious complaints against deputies of San Francisco Sheriff's Office (SFSO) since 2018, ensuring independent oversight, reinforcing transparency, and promoting accountability across jail operations, courthouse security, and broader SFSO activities. Through formal agreements and evolving mandates, including oversight of in-custody deaths and the use of military equipment, the DPA has expanded its role to support investigations, critical incidents, and community engagement.
SFSO DPA Authority Under Letter of Agreement
Under a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the San Francisco SFSO's Office, DPA investigates serious misconduct cases involving SFSO's deputies. DPA's oversight authority includes independent investigations of:
- In-custody deaths
- Complaints of:
- Use of force - injury or death
- Use of a weapon or control device
- Sexual misconduct
- Reckless disregard for health or safety
- Pattern or practice of harassment, bias, or retaliation by SFSO's Deputies
- Additional misconduct at SFSO discretion
DPA submits investigative findings to the SFSO and provides quarterly reports to the SFSO's Oversight Board on complaint statistics and investigation status.
SFSO SFSO Key Metrics - Q1 2025
SFSO SFSO Allegations and Findings
SFSO complaints in Q1 2025 generated 13 total allegations across the 10 complaints received.
| Allegation Type | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Misconduct | 12 | 92.3% |
| Referral | 1 | 7.69% |
| Total | 13 | 100.0% |
SFSO SFSO Case Findings
The disposition of SFSO allegations in Q1 2025 shows a pattern of thorough investigation with the majority being exonerated.
| Finding Type | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Exonerated - SFSO | 7 | 53.8% |
| Insufficient Evidence | 3 | 23.1% |
| Referral to Other Agency | 2 | 15.4% |
| Unfounded | 1 | 7.7% |
| Total Findings | 13 | 100.0% |
SFSO Findings Analysis
Exoneration Rate: 53.8% of allegations were exonerated, meaning the alleged conduct occurred but was justified, lawful, and proper. No Sustained Findings: Q1 2025 had zero sustained findings against SFSO personnel. Referrals: 15.4% of cases were referred to other agencies for appropriate jurisdiction or handling.
SFSO SFSO Cases by Facility
The 6 SFSO cases closed in Q1 2025 were distributed across detention and related facilities as follows:
| Facility/Location | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| County Jail #3 | 2 | 33.3% |
| County Jail #2 | 2 | 33.3% |
| ZSFGH (Jail Hospital) | 1 | 16.7% |
| City Hall | 1 | 16.7% |
| County Jail #1 | 0 | 0% |
| Total | 6 | 100.0% |
SFSO Facility Analysis
Facility Distribution: County Jails #2 and #3 each had 2 closed cases (33.3% each), with additional cases at ZSFGH jail hospital and City Hall courthouse security. County Jail #1 had no closed cases in Q1 2025. The small number of cases in Q1 2025 was 6.
SFSO Analysis
Allegation Patterns: The majority of SFSO allegations in Q1 2025 were categorized as "Misconduct" (92.31%, 12 of 13 allegations). With only 10 complaints generating 13 allegations, the small sample size limits broader pattern analysis. The exoneration rate was 53.9%.
Facility Distribution: County Jails #2 and #3 each had 2 closed cases (33.3%), with additional cases at ZSFGH jail hospital and City Hall courthouse security. The volume of closed cases was 6 in Q1 2025.