San Diego’s Police Oversight Commission Pushes Back Against City Council’s Proposed Changes
A major clash is unfolding in San Diego over the independence of the city’s Commission on Police Practices, and it's creating quite a stir among activists and community members. The commission, designed to oversee the San Diego Police Department, has flat-out rejected a recent proposal from the City Council’s Public Safety Committee—one that would give the council more control over its executive director.
Instead of going along with the council’s recommendations, the commission stood firm, emphasizing its independence. The proposal suggested that instead of the executive director being loyal to the commission, they would instead report to the City Council, which would also gain the power to remove them. This didn’t sit well with the commission, which saw it as a threat to its autonomy.
A Battle Over Authority
Right now, the City Council does have the authority to appoint the commission’s executive director, but this new proposal would extend that power, giving the council the ability to fire them as well. That might not sound like a big deal on the surface, but for those closely following the commission’s evolution, it’s a significant shift in power dynamics.
For many, this is a major step backward. It has taken four years of intense discussions, policy refinements, and community input to create what was supposed to be a truly independent police oversight body. The idea that the City Council could now interfere with its leadership and decision-making doesn’t sit well with those who fought to establish the commission in the first place.
Public Outcry: “Don’t Let the City Council Take Your Independence Away”
Public comments during last Wednesday’s commission meeting reflected just how controversial this proposal has become. Longtime civic activist and attorney Kate Yavenditti issued a stark warning: “Don’t let the City Council take your independence away. That’s exactly what this is all about.”
She pointed out that this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. The commission’s predecessor, the Citizens Review Board, faced similar challenges in maintaining its independence from elected officials. If history is any indication, this is a battle worth fighting.
But where did this pressure to change the commission come from?
The Paul Parker Fallout
A lot of this stems from former executive director Paul Parker, who resigned after just six months on the job. In his exit memo to the city, Parker didn’t hold back, blaming the commission for numerous issues and inefficiencies. His criticisms caught the attention of City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, who chairs the Public Safety Committee. In response, she decided to delay hiring a new executive director and put a hold on filling the nine vacant commissioner seats until these alleged problems were addressed.
She also tasked the city attorney’s office with reviewing Parker’s complaints. However, both that office and the commission’s legal counsel came back with a clear conclusion: The employment of the executive director is governed by the city charter. If the council wants the power to fire the director, it would require a formal charter change—a much more complex process than just tweaking the municipal code.
Community Members Rally Behind the Commission
For many community leaders, the council’s proposal isn’t just about who gets to hire or fire an executive director—it’s about keeping the commission accountable to the people, not politicians. Darwin Fishman from the Racial Justice Coalition reflected on his own experience as part of the previous oversight board, saying, “We had a real struggle dealing with elected officials and had problems implementing any change the board may have needed.”
His message to the commission? Stay vigilant. If the commission lets the City Council erode its independence, it could lose the community’s trust, and that could be disastrous for police oversight in San Diego.
Yusef Miller from the North County Equity and Justice Coalition echoed these concerns. He urged the commission to stand its ground, free from influence by the city attorney, the City Council, or any other political body. “What residents voted for as to how the commission is formed and operated is the way it should be implemented,” he argued.
Another Point of Contention: The Commission’s Size
Paul Parker’s resignation also reignited a debate over the size of the commission itself. He had argued that 25 members were simply too many for the body to function efficiently. However, the commission disagreed and made it clear that they weren’t interested in downsizing.
In fact, instead of reducing the number of members, the commission voted unanimously in favor of a motion from board member Imani Robinson to send a message to the Public Safety Committee. The message? The commission wants to keep all 25 seats and immediately activate a recruitment committee to fill the vacant positions.
Moving Forward: A Call for Action
Doug Case, the commission’s chair, summed up the commission’s stance with a firm yet diplomatic response. “While the Commission appreciates the concerns expressed at the Public Safety Committee, we do not believe any immediate changes to the San Diego Municipal Code that governs the Commission are necessary.”
Instead, he called on the City Council to focus on what really matters: filling the nine vacant seats, appointing an interim executive director, and launching the search for a permanent one. In short, the commission is standing firm and demanding that its work be respected.
The Bigger Picture
This entire debate highlights a larger issue—who really holds power when it comes to police oversight? Should an independent commission truly operate without political interference, or should elected officials have a say in its leadership? The outcome of this battle will have lasting implications for how San Diego’s police oversight functions moving forward.
One thing is clear: The commission isn’t backing down without a fight. And as the city continues this debate, all eyes will be on whether the City Council respects the will of the voters or tries to push through changes that could fundamentally alter police accountability in San Diego.
For now, the commission is standing its ground. Whether it will be able to hold its independence in the long run remains to be seen.
Login