Executive Summary
SFPD San Francisco Police Department
Key Findings: During Q3 2025, the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability received 246 SFPD complaints involving 434 allegations (received) and investigated 521 allegations. The DPA closed 227 SFPD cases during the quarter with an average processing time of 94 days. The majority of SFPD complaints (49.6%) were submitted online, with Neglect of Duty being the most common allegation type (42.6%). The DPA sustained 12 allegations across 8 SFPD cases, with a sustained rate of 2.30%.
SFSO San Francisco Sheriff's Office
SFSO Key Findings: During Q3 2025, the DPA received 8 SFSO complaints involving 20 allegations and 10 complainants (all identified). The DPA closed 7 SFSO cases during the quarter. The majority of SFSO allegations (90%) involved claims of misconduct by SFSO personnel. Following investigation, there were no findings of improper conduct against SFSO personnel in Q3 2025, with 50% 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 Q3 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 | Q3 2023 | Q3 2024 | Q3 2025 | % Change (2024 vs 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints Opened | 200 | 175 | 246 | +40.6% | |
| Allegations | 407 | 378 | 434 | +14.8% | |
| Cases Closed | 193 | 185 | 227 | +22.7% | |
| Sustained Cases | 14 | 6 | 8 | +33.3% | |
| Sustained Allegations | 26 | 18 | 12 | -33.3% | |
| Sustained Rate | 5.1% | 4.1% | 2.30% | -43.9% | |
| Avg Processing Days | 128 | 110 | 94 | -19.7% | |
| Cases Pending | 295 | 208 | 227 | +9.1% | |
| Identified Complainant Rate | 97% | 88% | 87% | -1.6% |
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 | 231 | 208 |
| Q3 (Jul-Sep) | 200 | 175 | 246 | 207 |
| Q4 (Oct-Dec) | 206 | 194 | — | 200 |
| Year Total | 785 | 737 | 703 | 742 |
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 | Q3 2023 | Q3 2024 | Q3 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenderloin | 14 | 26 | 43 | |
| Southern | 13 | 20 | 26 | |
| Central | 33 | 16 | 23 | |
| Mission | 22 | 14 | 26 | |
| Northern | 8 | 18 | 14 |
Trend Analysis: Key Insights
Complaint Volume Changes: The volume of complaints shows steady growth over the past three years. After a 12.5% decrease from Q3 2023 to Q3 2024, complaints increased by 40.6% in Q3 2025, reaching the highest level for the third quarter in this period.
Complaint and Investigation Analysis
Complaint Submission Methods - Combined Analysis
SFPD complaints favor online and phone submissions (81.7%), while SFSO complaints in Q3 2025 were primarily received through phone (50%) and referrals (37.5%).
| Submission Method | SFPD | SFSO | Combined Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | 122 (49.6%) | 0 (0%) | 122 (48.0%) |
| Phone | 79 (32.1%) | 4 (50.0%) | 83 (32.7%) |
| Referral | 9 (3.7%) | 3 (37.5%) | 12 (4.7%) |
| Other | 11 (4.5%) | 1 (12.5%) | 12 (4.7%) |
| In Person | 17 (6.9%) | 0 (0%) | 17 (6.7%) |
| 8 (3.3%) | 0 (0%) | 8 (3.1%) | |
| Total | 246 (100%) | 8 (100%) | 254 (100%) |
Submission Method Analysis
SFPD Patterns: Phone and online accessibility remain strong with 32.1% phone and 49.6% online submissions. Referrals (3.7%) and other methods (14.6%) provide additional access channels.
SFSO Patterns: With only 8 complaints, SFSO submissions came primarily through phone (50%) and referrals (37.5%), with one complaint via other methods (12.5%).
Combined Impact: The DPA received 254 complaints through multiple channels, ensuring accessibility for both community members and individuals in custody.
Complainant Demographics
Identified vs. Anonymous Complaints - Combined
Of the 254 complaints received across both departments, 222 (87.4%) were filed by identified complainants, while 32 (12.6%) were submitted anonymously. SFPD: 214 identified (87.0%), 32 anonymous (13.0%). SFSO: 8 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 | 67 (27.2%) | 6 (75%) | 73 (29%) |
| Declined to State | 122 (50%) | 2 (25.0%) | 124 (49%) |
| Female | 56 (22.8%) | 0 (0%) | 56 (22%) |
| Genderqueer/Non-binary | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) |
| Transgender | 1 (0.4%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (0.4%) |
| Total | 246 (100%) | 8 (100%) | 254 (100%) |
Race/Ethnicity Demographics - Combined Data
| Race/Ethnicity | SFPD | SFSO | Combined Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Declined to State | 124 (50.4%) | 3 (37.5%) | 127 (50%) |
| White | 46 (18.7%) | 1 (12.5%) | 47 (18.5%) |
| Black or African American | 39 (15.9%) | 4 (50%) | 43 (16.9%) |
| Other | 12 (4.9%) | 0 (0%) | 12 (4.7%) |
| Asian | 8 (3.3%) | 0 (0%) | 8 (3.1%) |
| Hispanic or Latinx | 17 (6.9%) | 0 (0%) | 17 (6.7%) |
| Total | 246 (100%) | 8 (100%) | 254 (100%) |
Demographic Analysis
Key Observations: With a small sample size of 8 SFSO complaints in Q3, demographic patterns should be interpreted cautiously. The SFSO complainants were 75% male and 25% declined to state gender, with 50% identifying as Black or African American. SFPD complaints continue to show patterns consistent with broader community engagement. Both departments show privacy-conscious complainants, with approximately 50% 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 94 days in Q3 2025, significantly under the 180-day target. This represents a 47.8% 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
During Q3 2025, the DPA investigated 521 allegations. Neglect of Duty was the most frequent allegation type, making up 42.2% of all investigated allegations. This was also the most common finding in sustained cases. The overall sustained rate of 2.30% reflects 12 sustained allegations out of 521 investigated.
| Allegation Type | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Neglect of Duty | 220 | 42.2% |
| Unwarranted Action | 93 | 17.9% |
| Conduct Unbecoming | 99 | 19% |
| Referral | 48 | 9.2% |
| Unnecessary Force | 36 | 6.9% |
| Informational | 21 | 4% |
| Policy/Procedure | 1 | 0.2% |
| Failure to Intercede | 3 | .6% |
Investigation Outcomes by Allegation Type
The DPA completed investigations on 521 allegations during Q3 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.
| DPA Finding | Conduct Unbecoming | Neglect of Duty | Policy/Procedure | Unwarranted Action | Use of Force | Informational | Referral | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Improper Conduct (Sustained) | 2 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Proper Conduct | 33 | 123 | 1 | 64 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 249 |
| Unfounded | 32 | 25 | 0 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 80 |
| Insufficient Evidence | 11 | 22 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 |
| Policy Failure | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Mediated | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Referral to Other Agency | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 50 |
| Informational | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| No Finding | 18 | 22 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Withdrawal | 0 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Other | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Total | 99 | 220 | 1 | 93 | 36 | 21 | 48 | 3 | 521 |
*Sustained findings indicate officer misconduct was determined
*See Sustained Cases section for detailed case summaries and DPA recommendations.
Key Findings Analysis
Investigation Findings: 249 allegations (47.7%) were found to be proper conduct. Sustained Findings: 12 allegations across 8 cases (2.30%) were sustained as "Improper Conduct," meeting the threshold for disciplinary action. Policy and Supervision Issues: 2 allegations resulted in policy failures.
Sustained Cases
Cases Where Improper Conduct Was Found
During Q3 2025, the DPA sustained 12 allegations across 8 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 | Park | The officer failed to activate his BWC when attending a call regarding a petty theft, in violation of Department General Order (DGO) 10.11. | The DPA recommended the officer receive a written reprimand and retraining. |
| 2 | Richmond | The officer punched a handcuffed man in the head during an arrest, and while the man was restrained, applied unnecessary pressure on the man's torso, causing the man to experience difficulty breathing. | The DPA recommended the officer receive a 3 Day suspension. |
| 3 | Tenderloin | The officer violated Department standards of conduct by making belittling and demeaning statements. | The DPA recommended the officer receive an admonishment. |
| 4 | Northern | Two officers searched the car of a federal probationer without confirming if he had search conditions, or the scope of the search conditions. | DPA recommended the officers receive an admonishment. |
| 5 | Tenderloin | An officer, while arresting an individual with two outstanding warrants, used profanity toward a bystander. The officer stated this occurred in response to the bystander's behavior and maintained that no departmental policies were violated. | The DPA recommended the officer receive a written reprimand and retraining. |
| 6 | Southern | The officers failed to activate their body-worn policy as mandated by DGO 10.11 and DN 23-045. | The DPA recommended the officers receive an admonishment. |
| 7 | Richmond | The officer failed to activate the body-worn camera in violation of DGO 10.11 and DN-23-045. | The DPA recommends the officers receive admonishments. |
| 8 | Southern | The officer failed to obtain language services in accordance with Department General Order 5.20. | The DPA recommends the officer receive an admonishment and retraining. |
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 Q3 2025. This data should not be interpreted as a measure of station or officer performance. Tenderloin Station had the highest number of cases closed (43), followed by Southern Station (26) and Mission Station (26). 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 | 43 | 18.9% |
| Southern | 26 | 11.5% |
| Central | 23 | 10.1% |
| Mission | 26 | 11.5% |
| Northern | 14 | 6.2% |
| Ingleside | 14 | 6.2% |
| Taraval | 10 | 4.4% |
| Park | 6 | 2.6% |
| Richmond | 6 | 2.6% |
| Bayview | 14 | 6.2% |
| Airport Bureau | 8 | 3.5% |
| Not Applicable/Info | 20 | 8.8% |
| Unknown/Referral | 17 | 7.5% |
| Total | 227 | 100.0% |
Geographic Pattern Analysis
Case Distribution: Tenderloin (43), Southern (26), and Mission (26) stations account for 41.9% of all cases closed, reflecting where complaints originated in Q3 2025. Referrals and Administrative: A significant portion (16.3%) consists of referrals and informational cases, indicating inter-agency coordination and comprehensive case categorization.
Note: This data includes 7 merged cases.
SFSO Oversight - Q3 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 - Q3 2025
SFSO SFSO Allegations and Findings
SFSO complaints in Q3 2025 generated 20 total allegations across the 8 complaints received.
| Allegation Type | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Misconduct | 18 | 90.0% |
| Neglect of Duty | 2 | 10.0% |
| Total | 20 | 100.0% |
SFSO SFSO Case Findings
The disposition of SFSO allegations in Q3 2025 shows an even split between exonerated and unfounded findings.
| Finding Type | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Exonerated - SFSO | 10 | 50.0% |
| Unfounded | 10 | 50.0% |
| Total Findings | 20 | 100.0% |
SFSO Findings Analysis
Exoneration Rate: 50% of allegations were exonerated (10 of 20), meaning the alleged conduct occurred but was justified, lawful, and proper. Unfounded Rate: 50% of allegations were unfounded (10 of 20), meaning the alleged conduct did not occur. No Sustained Findings: Q3 2025 had zero sustained findings against SFSO personnel.
SFSO SFSO Cases by Facility
The 7 SFSO cases closed in Q3 2025 were distributed across detention and related facilities as follows:
| Facility/Location | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| County Jail #3 | 4 | 57.1% |
| County Jail #2 | 1 | 14.3% |
| ZSFGH (Jail Hospital) | 0 | 0.0% |
| City Hall | 0 | 0.0% |
| County Jail #1 | 1 | 14.3% |
| Other | 1 | 14.3% |
| Total | 7 | 100.0% |
SFSO Facility Analysis
Facility Distribution: County Jail #3 had the highest number of closed cases (4, 57.1%), followed by County Jails #1 and #2 each with 1 case (14.3% each), and 1 case at other locations. The volume of closed cases was 7 in Q3 2025.
SFSO Analysis
Allegation Patterns: The majority of SFSO allegations in Q3 2025 were categorized as "Misconduct" (90%, 18 of 20 allegations). With only 8 complaints generating 20 allegations, the small sample size limits broader pattern analysis. The exoneration rate was 50%.
Facility Distribution: County Jail #3 had 4 closed cases (57.1%), County Jails #1 and #2 each had 1 case (14.3%), with 1 additional case at other locations. The volume of closed cases was 7 in Q3 2025.