San Jose's City Council says it’s time for complete transparency.
It just gave the green light to start the groundwork for a test run that would transfer the police department’s public misconduct investigations, to the city’s independent police auditor’s office.
This move allows the city to look into, and create, an investigative team within the city’s IPA office to probe police misconduct complaints, independently.
Right now, the police department investigates its own complaints.
It’s important to note this is a trial period and is expected to last a few years.
Those for it say it’s time, while the police union says it’s an overreach.
Here's a statement from SJPD Chief Anthony Mata.
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"We are committed to ensuring that our employees are held accountable for misconduct. To that end, we have worked for years with the Independent Police Auditor to conduct comprehensive, transparent investigations that are in line with modern policing principles. In fact, The last IPA report agreed 72% of the time with the initial results of an Internal Affairs investigation. In instances where the IPA had concerns or requests for additional investigation, the agreement rate rose to 82%. This rate of agreement has been consistent over the last three years.
"We are in continuous discussions with the IPA on how to foster continued evolution toward improved investigative and oversight processes. We do not believe that a dramatic departure from a system that is working is needed without further discussion. This is a complex situation, one with many legal and policy issues to resolve. That is best accomplished through collaboration and careful consideration of the issues with the various stakeholders. That is the path I thought we were on, and one I continue to support."
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NBC Bay Area’s Audrey Asistio has the full story in the video player above.
