Executive Director's Message
In the first quarter of 2026, our department received 269 complaints about San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) officers, alongside 13 complaints about San Francisco Sheriff's Office (SFSO) deputies. Complaint volume is up 19 percent over Q1 2025 and 64 percent over Q1 2024. We read this as a sign that residents know where to bring their public safety concerns and that they trust DPA to take them seriously. That trust is earned every day by the careful work of our investigators.
This quarter, the DPA closed 266 SFPD cases involving 489 allegations and sustained 15 allegations across 8 cases. The average processing time was 94 days, which is under our 180-day target and in 100 percent compliance with the one-year completion deadline set by California Government Code §3304. Proper Conduct was the most common finding, accounting for 198 closed allegations (about 40 percent of the total). A Proper Conduct finding is itself a substantive accountability outcome, determined on the evidence. Body-worn camera (BWC) footage continues to be a valuable evidentiary resource across these investigations, supporting findings across the full range of outcomes — both Proper Conduct and Improper Conduct (Sustained). As San Francisco's independent civilian oversight body, objectivity is central to our work.
I want to recognize the investigators behind this work. The DPA's investigators carry both SFPD and SFSO matters on the same caseload. That dual responsibility has expanded steadily as our mandate has grown, with the addition of in-custody death oversight, expanded jurisdiction over the Sheriff's Office, and rising complaint volume in both departments. Our team has continued to meet our deadlines and our quality standards, and the workload required to do that is significant. Sustained high caseloads carry real costs in staff well-being and retention risk. In Q1 2026, the DPA welcomed three new investigators — two assigned to SFSO matters and one to SFPD matters — along with a new Policy Director, who joined near the close of the quarter. While these additions strengthen the team, DPA will request additional investigative positions in the next fiscal year to preserve the quality of our work, ensure the well-being of our staff, and remain in compliance with staffing ratios mandated by the San Francisco charter.
Looking ahead, the DPA will continue to invest in the partnerships that make this work possible — with the Mayor's Office, the San Francisco Police Department, the San Francisco Sheriff's Office, the Police Commission, the Sheriff's Department Oversight Board, and the communities we serve in common. I am grateful for the constructive working relationships we maintain with each of them, and for the opportunity to keep building on that foundation in the quarters ahead.
Executive Director, San Francisco Department of Police Accountability
Executive Summary
SFPD San Francisco Police Department
Key Findings: In Q1 2026, the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability (DPA) received 269 SFPD complaints involving 550 allegations. The DPA closed 266 SFPD cases involving 489 allegations during the quarter, with an average processing time of 94 days. The largest share of SFPD complaints (43.5%) were submitted online, with Neglect of Duty being the most common allegation type (46.9%). The DPA sustained 8 cases involving 15 allegations of improper conduct, for a sustained rate of 3.07% (15 of 489 closed allegations).
SFSO San Francisco Sheriff's Office
SFSO Key Findings: In Q1 2026, the DPA received 13 SFSO complaints involving 56 allegations, and closed 9 SFSO cases during the quarter. The majority of SFSO allegations (91.1%) involved claims of misconduct by SFSO personnel, and there were no findings of improper conduct against SFSO personnel.
Three-Year Comparison and Trends
DPA Performance Metrics - SFPD Focus
This section compares Q1 SFPD data across three consecutive years (2024, 2025, 2026) for complaint volume, investigation outcomes, and DPA performance.
DPA Performance Metrics - 3-Year Trends
| Metric | Trend | Q1 2024 | Q1 2025 | Q1 2026 | YoY Change (2026 vs. 2025)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints Opened* | 164 | 226 | 269 | +19.0% | |
| Allegations Received | 306 | 391 | 550 | +40.7% | |
| Cases Closed | 195 | 229 | 266 | +16.2% | |
| Sustained Allegations | 44 | 15 | 15 | 0.0% | |
| Sustained Rate | 7.60% | 3.36% | 3.07% | -8.6% | |
| Avg Processing Days | 98 | 92 | 94 | +2.2% | |
| Cases Pending | 278 | 228 | 239 | +4.8% | |
| Identified Complainant Rate | 98.0% | 80.5% | 84.0% | +4.3% |
*All changes shown as year-over-year percent change. "Complaints Opened" refers to SFPD-related complaints filed with DPA. The sustained rate fell year over year even though the sustained count held steady, because the total number of closed allegations grew.
| Quarter | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Q Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 (Jan-Mar) | 164 | 226 | 269 | 220 |
| Q2 (Apr-Jun) | 204 | 231 | — | 218 |
| Q3 (Jul-Sep) | 175 | 246 | — | 211 |
| Q4 (Oct-Dec) | 194 | 196 | — | 195 |
| Year Total | 737 | 899 | 269 | 635 |
Trend Analysis: Key Insights
Complaint Volume Changes: Q1 SFPD complaints by year: Q1 2024 = 164; Q1 2025 = 226 (+37.8%); Q1 2026 = 269 (+19.0% YoY, +64.0% from 2024). Q1 cases closed: 195 (2024) → 229 (2025) → 266 (2026).
Complaint and Investigation Analysis
Complaint Submission Methods - Combined Analysis
SFPD complaints favor online and phone submissions (77.3%), while SFSO complaints in Q1 2026 were primarily received through referrals (53.8%) and online/phone (38.5% combined).
| Submission Method | SFPD | SFSO | Combined Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | 117 (43.5%) | 3 (23.1%) | 120 (42.6%) |
| Phone | 91 (33.8%) | 2 (15.4%) | 93 (33.0%) |
| In Person | 24 (8.9%) | 0 (0.0%) | 24 (8.5%) |
| Other | 21 (7.8%) | 1 (7.7%) | 22 (7.8%) |
| Referral | 8 (3.0%) | 7 (53.8%) | 15 (5.3%) |
| SFPD Referral | 5 (1.9%) | 0 (0.0%) | 5 (1.8%) |
| 3 (1.1%) | 0 (0.0%) | 3 (1.1%) | |
| Letter | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) |
| Total | 269 (100.0%) | 13 (100.0%) | 282 (100.0%) |
Complainant Submission Method Analysis
SFPD Patterns: Online 43.5%, phone 33.8%, in-person 8.9%, other 7.8%, referrals 3.0%, SFPD referral 1.9%, mail 1.1%, letter 0.0%.
SFSO Patterns: With 13 complaints, SFSO submissions came primarily through referrals (53.8%), online (23.1%), and phone (15.4%), with one complaint via other methods (7.7%).
Combined Total: The DPA received 282 complaints across both departments in Q1 2026.
Complainant Demographics
Identified and Anonymous Complaints - Combined
Of the 282 complaints received across both departments, 239 (84.8%) were filed by identified complainants, while 43 (15.2%) were submitted anonymously. SFPD: 226 identified (84.0%), 43 anonymous (16.0%). SFSO: 13 identified (100.0%), 0 anonymous (0.0%).
Gender Demographics - Combined Data
| Gender | SFPD | SFSO | Combined Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 86 (32.0%) | 7 (53.8%) | 93 (33.0%) |
| Declined to State | 122 (45.4%) | 3 (23.1%) | 125 (44.3%) |
| Female | 58 (21.6%) | 3 (23.1%) | 61 (21.6%) |
| Genderqueer/Non-binary | 1 (0.4%) | 0 (0.0%) | 1 (0.4%) |
| Transgender | 2 (0.7%) | 0 (0.0%) | 2 (0.7%) |
| Total | 269 (100.0%) | 13 (100.0%) | 282 (100.0%) |
Race/Ethnicity Demographics - Combined Data
| Race/Ethnicity | SFPD | SFSO | Combined Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Declined to State | 140 (52.0%) | 4 (30.8%) | 144 (51.1%) |
| White | 49 (18.2%) | 3 (23.1%) | 52 (18.4%) |
| Black or African American | 22 (8.2%) | 4 (30.8%) | 26 (9.2%) |
| Other | 23 (8.6%) | 0 (0.0%) | 23 (8.2%) |
| Asian | 18 (6.7%) | 1 (7.7%) | 19 (6.7%) |
| Hispanic or Latinx | 17 (6.3%) | 1 (7.7%) | 18 (6.4%) |
| Total | 269 (100.0%) | 13 (100.0%) | 282 (100.0%) |
Categories reflect the SFPD/DPA intake form options. "Other" includes complainants who selected categories outside those shown (such as Native American/Indigenous, Pacific Islander, Multiracial, or Middle Eastern/North African) or who provided a self-described identity.
Age Demographics - Combined Data
| Age Range | SFPD | SFSO | Combined Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Declined to State | 137 (50.9%) | 5 (38.5%) | 142 (50.4%) |
| 41-50 | 51 (19.0%) | 3 (23.1%) | 54 (19.1%) |
| 31-40 | 22 (8.2%) | 1 (7.7%) | 23 (8.2%) |
| 51-60 | 21 (7.8%) | 1 (7.7%) | 22 (7.8%) |
| 20-30 | 15 (5.6%) | 2 (15.4%) | 17 (6.0%) |
| 71-80 | 13 (4.8%) | 0 (0.0%) | 13 (4.6%) |
| 61-70 | 10 (3.7%) | 1 (7.7%) | 11 (3.9%) |
| Total | 269 (100.0%) | 13 (100.0%) | 282 (100.0%) |
No complaints were received from minors (under 20) or persons over 80 in Q1 2026; those age categories are omitted from the table.
Demographic Analysis
Key Observations: Q1 2026 SFSO complaints (n=13): 53.8% male, 23.1% female, 23.1% declined to state gender; 30.8% identified as Black or African American and 23.1% as White. Approximately half of complainants declined to provide demographic information (52.0% of SFPD; 30.8% of SFSO). Because nearly half of complainants declined to provide gender data, distributions among those who responded should not be read as representative of all complainants. Note: "Identified" complainants are 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
Key Findings Analysis
Investigation Findings: 198 of 489 closed allegations (40.5%) were Proper Conduct. Sustained Findings: 15 allegations (3.07% of 489 closed) were sustained as "Improper Conduct," broken down as: Neglect of Duty (7), Conduct Unbecoming (3), Unwarranted Action (3), Use of Force (2). Policy Failure: 6 allegations. See the Glossary of Terms at the end of this report for finding definitions.
SFPD Processing Time Achievement
Performance: The DPA's average SFPD case processing time in Q1 2026 was 94 days, compared to a 180-day target (47.8% below the target). The DPA maintained 100% compliance with the Government Code 3304 one-year deadline for completing investigations.
SFPD Allegation Types and Findings
During Q1 2026, the DPA received 550 allegations. Neglect of Duty was the most frequent allegation type, accounting for 46.9% of all allegations received.
Policy/Procedure is an additional allegation type, tracked alongside the seven shown above. No Policy/Procedure allegations were received in Q1 2026; one — carried over from a prior quarter — was closed during the quarter and appears in the Investigation Outcomes cross-tab below. This allegation type is distinct from the Policy Failure finding: in Q1 2026 a Policy Failure finding was reached on 6 closed allegations (5 Neglect of Duty and 1 Policy/Procedure).
Investigation Outcomes by Allegation Type
The DPA closed 489 allegations during Q1 2026, with findings ranging from "Proper Conduct" to "Improper Conduct" (sustained). The overall sustained rate was 3.07% (15 of 489 closed allegations), and Neglect of Duty was the most frequent allegation type among sustained allegations. The table below shows how each type of allegation was resolved, providing transparency into the investigative process and outcomes. Closed allegations include cases opened in prior quarters, so the closed counts in this table are not directly comparable to the received counts in the chart above.
| DPA Finding | Conduct Unbecoming | Informational | Neglect of Duty | Policy/Procedure | Referral | Unwarranted Action | Use of Force | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Improper Conduct (Sustained) | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 15 |
| Proper Conduct | 25 | 0 | 86 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 30 | 198 |
| Unfounded | 38 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 87 |
| Insufficient Evidence | 17 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 40 |
| Policy Failure | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Mediated | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Referral to Other Agency | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 45 | 1 | 0 | 52 |
| Informational | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| No Finding | 16 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 41 |
| Withdrawal | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 21 |
| Total | 105 | 18 | 192 | 1 | 45 | 85 | 43 | 489 |
Sustained findings indicate officer misconduct was determined. See the Sustained Cases section below for detailed case summaries and DPA recommendations.
Sustained Cases
Cases Where Improper Conduct Was Found
During Q1 2026, the DPA sustained 15 allegations of improper conduct. See the Glossary of Terms at the end of this report for the definition of "Improper Conduct (Sustained)." Each case summary below provides context while protecting privacy.
| # | Police Station | Case Summary | DPA Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern | The officer conducted a self-initiated traffic stop and failed to complete the required Benchmark Stop Data entry, in violation of department policy. | Admonishment and retraining. |
| 2 | Tenderloin | Officers conducted a traffic stop without lights and siren, used excessive force, and issued a citation without cause. | DPA recommended a seven-day suspension for one officer, a three-day suspension for another, and a written reprimand for a third. |
| 3 | Mission | An officer improperly broadcast an emergency evacuation order when no emergency existed. | 2-Day Suspension. |
| 4 | Southern | The officers failed to activate their body-worn cameras as mandated by department policy. | Written Reprimand and retraining. |
| 5 | Mission | The officer failed to activate their body-worn camera as mandated by department policy. | 1-Day Suspension. |
| 6 | Richmond | An officer failed to investigate and prepare an incident report regarding an assault. | 1-Day Suspension. |
| 7 | Tenderloin | An officer inappropriately engaged in verbal banter with an individual and made inappropriate comments. | 3-Day Suspension. |
| 8 | Tenderloin | An officer made inappropriate comments. | Written Reprimand and retraining. |
SFPD Station Distribution
SFPD Complaints and Allegations by SFPD Station
In Q1 2026, the DPA received 269 SFPD complaints involving 550 allegations. The table below shows how each metric distributed across SFPD stations and bureaus. This data should not be interpreted as a measure of station or officer performance. Among district stations (excluding Airport Bureau and unassigned categories), Southern, Central, and Bayview generated the highest allegation counts.
| SFPD Station | Complaints | Allegations |
|---|---|---|
| Southern | 36 (13.4%) | 99 (18.0%) |
| Central | 25 (9.3%) | 60 (10.9%) |
| Bayview | 20 (7.4%) | 57 (10.4%) |
| Tenderloin | 27 (10.0%) | 55 (10.0%) |
| Airport Bureau | 49 (18.2%) | 54 (9.8%) |
| Mission | 20 (7.4%) | 46 (8.4%) |
| Northern | 19 (7.1%) | 46 (8.4%) |
| Park | 11 (4.1%) | 33 (6.0%) |
| Not Applicable | 24 (8.9%) | 24 (4.4%) |
| Richmond | 10 (3.7%) | 23 (4.2%) |
| Ingleside | 7 (2.6%) | 23 (4.2%) |
| Taraval | 9 (3.3%) | 17 (3.1%) |
| Unknown | 11 (4.1%) | 12 (2.2%) |
| Out of Town | 1 (0.4%) | 1 (0.2%) |
| Total | 269 (100.0%) | 550 (100.0%) |
Geographic Pattern Analysis
Allegation Distribution: Southern (99), Central (60), and Bayview (57) generated the highest allegation counts among district stations, together accounting for 39.3% of all SFPD allegations (216 of 550). Complaint Volume: Airport Bureau recorded the most complaints (49), followed by Southern (36) and Tenderloin (27). Note: Allegation counts reflect a point-in-time snapshot and will continue to change as cases progress — the allegations associated with a complaint can be added to or revised until the case is closed.
SFPD Cases Closed and Pending by Quarter
Quarterly trend data for SFPD cases closed and cases pending at end of quarter, 2024-2026.
| Quarter | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Pending | Closed | Pending | Closed | Pending | |
| Q1 | 195 | 278 | 229 | 228 | 266 | 239 |
| Q2 | 266 | 215 | 238 | 217 | — | — |
| Q3 | 185 | 208 | 227 | 227 | — | — |
| Q4 | 182 | 226 | 244 | 190 | — | — |
| Year Total Closed | 828 | — | 938 | — | 266 | — |
Mediation Division
| Mediation Metric | Q1 2026 | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| Cases Referred | 20 | 20 |
| New Eligible Cases | 20 | 20 |
| Cases Mediated | 4 | 4 |
| Officer Ineligible | 4 | 4 |
| Officers Declined | 1 | 1 |
| Complainants Offered | 20 | 20 |
| Complainants Declined | 7 | 7 |
| Cases Returned | 0 | 0 |
| Mediations Pending | 3 | 3 |
Activity counts reflect work performed during the quarter and do not necessarily map one-to-one to the new eligible cases referred. Mediations completed, declined, or pending in Q1 2026 may involve cases referred in earlier quarters.
Mediation Analysis
Q1 2026 Mediation Activity: 20 new eligible cases were referred to mediation. 4 cases were mediated. 20 complainants were offered mediation; 7 declined. 1 officer declined. 4 cases were officer-ineligible. 3 mediations were pending at quarter end.
Investigations Division
Q1 2026 Investigations Activity
The DPA's Investigations Division absorbed a significant influx of cases stemming from the March 22 incident at San Francisco International Airport involving federal immigration officials. The Department received 43 complaints related to the incident (counted within the 269 SFPD complaints reported for the quarter), each requiring intake, review, and investigative follow-up. This surge arrived alongside the Division's regular complaint volume and active caseload, materially increasing investigative workload during the quarter. Investigators triaged and advanced these matters while maintaining progress on existing cases.
Overall, the DPA received 269 complaints during Q1 2026, involving 550 allegations against sworn members of the SFPD. The majority of these complaints (43.5%) were submitted online. The Division closed 266 SFPD cases involving 489 allegations during the quarter, with an average completion time of 94 days, and sustained 8 cases involving 15 sustained allegations.
SB 1421 / SB 16 Division
Q1 2026 SB 1421 / SB 16 Activity
The DPA continued its ongoing work to identify, review, and disclose records subject to California's police transparency laws while also managing its regular volume of public records requests. This work includes reviewing archived cases for potential disclosure and processing records related to incidents such as officer-involved shootings, in-custody deaths, dishonesty, unlawful searches, biased conduct, and excessive force. Some records cannot be released until sustained findings are finalized and any appeals are resolved. The DPA remains committed to ensuring timely public access to qualifying records as legal disclosure requirements continue to evolve.
Pages Disclosed by Category
| Category | Pages Disclosed |
|---|---|
| Officer-Involved Shooting | 38,122 |
| Great Bodily Injury | 12,107 |
| Dishonesty | 3,071 |
| Unlawful Arrest or Search | 1,697 |
| Unreasonable or Excessive Force | 1,071 |
| Biased Policing | 104 |
| Other qualifying categories | 364 |
| Total | 56,536 |
"Other qualifying categories" covers additional SB 1421 / SB 16 record types disclosed in smaller volumes during Q1 2026.
Audit Division
Q1 2026 Audit Activity
The Audit Division presented the DPA's use-of-force audit to the San Francisco Police Commission. The presentation provided an overview of key findings on limitations in SFPD's monitoring processes and outlined the DPA's recommendations to strengthen internal oversight and accountability.
During the same period, the DPA began planning a new audit on SFPD's use of automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems. The preliminary objective of the audit is to evaluate the extent to which SFPD complied with applicable requirements regarding the use of ALPR systems. The preliminary scope covers data and processes from March 2025 through March 2026.
Policy Division
Q1 2026 Policy Activity
The DPA welcomed Policy Director Jamal Anderson, who joined at the close of the quarter to lead the Policy Division. With that transition underway, the Division's Q1 work focused on its ongoing review of SFPD Department General Orders (DGOs), Bureau Orders, and Department Notices, and on providing recommendations to the Police Commission and the Chief of Police where appropriate. The Division also participated in working groups and convened stakeholders on a range of policy issues, including DGO 5.23 (Interactions with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals) and DGO 5.20 (Language Access Services for Limited English Proficient persons).
Training Division
Q1 2026 Training Activity
The DPA's Training Division delivered in-house trainings covering witness interview techniques, the statute of limitations and tolling provisions under California Government Code section 3304, de-escalation, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in investigative work. The Division also kept staff informed of external training opportunities offered by partner organizations, including the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) and the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council (PAC).
SFSO Oversight
SFSO Overview
The DPA has investigated certain types of serious complaints against deputies of the 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 Current Jurisdiction
Under a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the San Francisco Sheriff's Office, DPA investigates serious misconduct cases involving SFSO deputies. DPA's oversight authority covers:
In-custody deaths, and complaints involving any of the following:
- Use of force resulting in 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 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 Key Metrics - Q1 2026
SFSO Allegations and Findings
SFSO complaints in Q1 2026 generated 56 total allegations across the 13 complaints received.
SFSO Case Findings
The disposition of SFSO cases closed in Q1 2026 is summarized below. There were 0 Improper Conduct (sustained) findings against SFSO personnel. The 13 allegations tabulated here are those within the 9 SFSO cases closed this quarter; remaining allegations from the 56 SFSO allegations received in Q1 are still pending.
| Allegation Type | Exonerated - SFSO | No Finding | Referral to Other Agency | Unfounded | Withdrawal | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Misconduct | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 9 |
| Neglect of Duty | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Referral | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Grand Total | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 13 |
SFSO Findings Analysis
Sustained: 0 of 13 allegations. Unfounded: 6 of 13 (46.2%). Exonerated: 3 of 13 (23.1%). Referral to Other Agency: 2 (15.4%). No Finding: 1 (7.7%). Withdrawal: 1 (7.7%). See the Glossary of Terms at the end of this report for finding definitions.
SFSO Cases Closed by Year Filed
The 9 SFSO cases closed in Q1 2026 were originally filed across three different years. Most were filed in prior years (2023-2025), reflecting the longer investigative timelines characteristic of the serious-misconduct categories under DPA's SFSO oversight authority.
| Year Filed | Cases Closed | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 66.7% |
| 2025 | 2 | 22.2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 11.1% |
| Total | 9 | 100.0% |
SFSO Complaints by Facility
The 13 SFSO complaints received in Q1 2026 originated from the following facilities and locations:
| Facility/Location | Complaints | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| County Jail #2 | 5 | 38.5% |
| County Jail #3 | 3 | 23.1% |
| County Jail #1 | 1 | 7.7% |
| Hall of Justice | 1 | 7.7% |
| SF Superior Court | 1 | 7.7% |
| SFPD Headquarters | 1 | 7.7% |
| ZSF General Hospital | 1 | 7.7% |
| Total | 13 | 100.0% |
SFSO Allegations by Facility
The 56 SFSO allegations received in Q1 2026 originated from the following facilities and locations:
| Facility/Location | Allegations | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| County Jail #2 | 26 | 46.4% |
| County Jail #3 | 23 | 41.1% |
| County Jail #1 | 5 | 8.9% |
| SFPD Headquarters | 1 | 1.8% |
| ZSF General Hospital | 1 | 1.8% |
| Total | 56 | 100.0% |
The 13 SFSO complaints originated from seven facilities, but allegations are concentrated in five. Facilities such as Hall of Justice and SF Superior Court appear in the complaints table but not the allegations table because the underlying complaints fall outside the serious-misconduct categories that generate allegations under DPA's SFSO jurisdiction.
SFSO Cases Opened, Closed, and Pending - Q1 Comparison
Q1 SFSO complaint volume has grown year over year, with pending cases also increasing as the DPA's SFSO oversight role has expanded. SFSO cases opened have more than doubled since 2024 (6 to 13), while closing pace has not kept pace, driving the pending caseload up to 43.
| Year | Q1 Cases Opened | Q1 Cases Closed | Q1 Cases Pending (End of Quarter) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 10 | 23 |
| 2025 | 10 | 6 | 42 |
| 2026 | 13 | 9 | 43 |
SFSO Analysis
Allegation Patterns: SFSO allegations in Q1 2026: Misconduct 91.1% (51 of 56), Neglect of Duty 7.1% (4), Referral 1.8% (1). 13 complaints generated 56 allegations.
Facility Distribution: County Jail #2 generated the most complaints (5, 38.5%), followed by County Jail #3 (3, 23.1%). The remaining complaints were spread across County Jail #1, Hall of Justice, SF Superior Court, SFPD Headquarters, and ZSF General Hospital (1 each).
More details for SFSO can be found at https://www.sf.gov/departments--office-sheriffs-inspector-general.
Glossary of Terms
Definitions used throughout this report for allegations and findings, separated by oversight jurisdiction.
SFPD Allegations & Findings
- Allegation
- A way to describe an individual act of potential misconduct. Complaints usually have more than one allegation to investigate. The primary categories of allegations tracked in this report are Unwarranted Action, Neglect of Duty, Use of Force, and Conduct Unbecoming, with additional administrative classifications for Referral, Informational, Failure to Intercede, and Policy/Procedure.
- Complaint
- Complaints are also called cases or investigations.
- Conduct Unbecoming an Officer
- Type of allegation that an officer's rude or inappropriate behavior undermines public confidence or reflects poorly on the Police Department. (Replaced and combined the historical categories of conduct reflecting discredit, discourtesy, racial slurs, and sexual slurs.)
- Failure to Intercede
- Type of allegation that an officer failed to intervene to stop or prevent another officer's misconduct when the officer had the opportunity and duty to do so.
- Findings
- Investigative conclusions are called findings. Each allegation is resolved with a finding that indicates whether or not the allegation was proven.
- Improper Conduct (Sustained)
- Finding indicating that the evidence gathered during an investigation proved that an officer broke a rule or law by doing something improper or by failing to complete a task.
- Informational
- Finding indicating that the allegations were not rationally within DPA's investigative jurisdiction.
- Insufficient Evidence
- Finding indicating that there was not enough evidence to prove or disprove an allegation.
- Mediated
- Finding indicating that an allegation was voluntarily resolved through mediation.
- Neglect of Duty
- Type of allegation that an officer failed to complete a required task.
- No Finding
- A "No Finding" outcome occurs when an involved officer cannot reasonably be identified or is no longer employed by SFPD and therefore cannot be disciplined.
- Policy Failure
- Finding indicating that, although an officer's actions complied with police rules, DPA recommends that the rules be changed.
- Policy/Procedure
- Administrative allegation type used when an allegation concerns a written department policy or procedure rather than an individual officer's conduct. Tracked separately from the primary allegation categories, and distinct from the Policy Failure finding.
- Proper Conduct
- Finding indicating that an officer's actions complied with police rules, training, and applicable laws.
- Referral
- Finding indicating that an allegation was referred to an agency with jurisdiction.
- Supervision or Training Failure
- Finding indicating that an officer's improper actions or failure to complete a required task were the result of inadequate supervision or training.
- Unfounded
- Allegations are unfounded when a complaint is made about something that did not occur or when an officer specifically identified by the complainant was not actually involved.
- Unwarranted Action
- Type of allegation that an officer's actions were unnecessary or unrelated to a legitimate police purpose.
- Use of Force
- Type of allegation that an officer used more force than was reasonably needed to perform a necessary police action.
- Withdrawal
- A withdrawn finding indicates that DPA discontinued investigating a complaint that was voluntarily withdrawn.
SFSO Allegations & Findings
- Misconduct
- Violation of any department rule or regulation, policy or procedure, or law, or conduct unbecoming a sworn employee or reflecting adversely on the department.
- Criminal Misconduct
- Violation constituting a misdemeanor or felony crime. Criminal misconduct cases are also referred to the appropriate criminal prosecution agency.
- Gratuities / Rewards
- Improperly accepting or soliciting any gratuity, gift, loan, fee, or any other thing of value arising from or offered because of employment, or any activity connected with the department, without authorization.
- Harassment / Discrimination
- Harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, sex, or age, including retaliation against a person for making a harassment complaint.
- Impermissible Behavior
- Any rude, insolent, impertinent, antagonistic, discourteous, or disrespectful conduct — written, oral, or by gesture — toward a supervisor of higher rank that is outside the definition of insubordination. Failure to treat supervisors, subordinates, and peers with respect, or to maintain courtesy and civility at all times.
- Insubordination
- Failure or deliberate refusal of any employee to obey a lawful order given by a superior officer.
- Neglect of Duty
- Type of allegation that a deputy failed to complete a required task.
- Truthfulness
- Type of allegation that requires all deputies to be truthful at all times, whether under oath or not.
- Unacceptable Job Performance
- Type of allegation that a deputy failed to adhere to the job responsibilities set forth in the Office's objectives.
- Use of Force
- Type of allegation that a deputy used more force than was reasonably needed to perform a necessary law enforcement action.
- Sustained
- Finding indicating that evidence from the investigation supports a misconduct finding by a preponderance of the evidence.
- Not Sustained
- Finding indicating that evidence from the investigation is insufficient to support a misconduct finding.
- Exonerated
- Finding indicating that evidence from the investigation proves the complained conduct was justified, lawful, and proper within policy.
- Unfounded
- Finding indicating that evidence from the investigation proves the complained conduct did not occur.
- Referral
- Finding indicating that an allegation was referred to an agency with jurisdiction.
- No Finding
- Finding indicating that the complainant did not provide additional requested evidence, the complainant requested withdrawal of the complaint, the deputy could not reasonably be identified, or the deputy is no longer with SFSO and is therefore no longer subject to SFSO discipline.