Accountability and 21st Century Policing

Chief Campbell’s Statement

South San Francisco Police Chief Scott Campbell and his department members embrace 21st Century Policing as defined in the final report that was published by President Barack Obama’s Task Force in May of 2015. Chief Campbell recognizes incidents of past and present injustices and discrimination throughout the country and that new policing strategies must work to address and reduce these. Chief Campbell understands the importance of building and maintaining trust with all members of the community, and he has set high moral and ethical standards that he expects all of his staff to meet and exceed. Chief Campbell believes the strength and bond between the police department and the communities it serves has taken years to build through intensive training, community based programs that offer transparency, and working together in partnership with residents, small business owners, and all community members.

Below is a description of some of the many trainings and programs that develop South San Francisco Police personnel to serve the citizens of South San Francisco with the most courteous, efficient, and professional service possible. Chief Campbell and his personnel remain committed to proactively reducing crime, enhancing public safety, and addressing quality of life issues through education, enforcement, and community partnerships in order to make a better South San Francisco.

Program or Training

Implicit Bias and Racial Profiling Training

The South San Francisco Police Department understands the importance of identifying and managing implicit biases and racial profiling in our communities. Following the tragic events in policing around the country, the Chief of Police mandated every sworn law enforcement officer attend additional training to ensure every officer has a clear understanding that implicit bias and racial profiling is the unconscious, unknowing differential treatment of another person based on a number of discriminatory factors, including but not limited to race, color, age, sex, gender, nationality, disability, and religion. Department personnel also understand that racial profiling is not only overt and obvious, but can also happen on a subconscious level that could potentially lead to differential treatment. The training includes exercises and in-depth discussions to minimize the risk, identify, and mitigate potential issues before they arise and cause conflict. Equality and justice is paramount in South San Francisco.

Status: Complete. Every sworn officer attended in-person training and successfully completed the class requirements. Will re-occur biennially.

Principled Policing Training

Sworn personnel attended specific training on policing approaches that instill respect, listening, trust, and neutrality as defined in the concepts of “Procedural Justice”. Officers were made aware of how to avoid barriers while interacting and serving the public that would hinder the implementation of this concept. Personnel learned of tactics on how to rebuild trust and positive relationships in the community after the trust had been broken throughout the Law Enforcement profession. The training also reinforced and highlighted our current department policies and procedures related to “Procedural Justice”.

Status: Complete. Will re-occur biennially.

Crisis Intervention Training and Certification

South San Francisco recognizes the importance of those individuals in our communities who suffer from mental illness. As a result, more than 95% of our sworn police officers have attended a 40 hour course on how to better interact with those suffering from mental illnesses. Officers learned tactics on how to display better attitudes and gain knowledge about types of mental illnesses and how to attain the best results. Officers who successfully complete this course display a certification (C.I.T.) pin on their uniform.

Status: On-going with a 100% compliance goal.

Mental Health Clinician

The South San Francisco Police Department works in conjunction with San Mateo County Behavior Health Services and the non-profit Star Vista, and has a certified County Mental Health Clinician assigned to South San Francisco. This is all part of a community wellness and crisis response team for those suffering a mental health crisis, substance abuse problems, and homelessness. The focus is on conflict management, de-escalation, and linking support services to those in need. The clinician co-responds with police officers to incidents involving community members who are suffering from mental illness. Through collaborative efforts, the individuals needing assistance and attention are offered an array of services with the ultimate goal of finding alternative solutions to resolve the incidents without incarceration.

Status: Ongoing.

Tactical Communications

All South San Francisco Police Officers are required to attend biennial “Tactical Communication” training. This training provides officers with verbal tools to generate voluntary compliance through verbal persuasion and interpersonal communication. Personnel learn how to modify their verbiage based on the type of scenario they are involved with, while avoiding inappropriate language, asking appropriate questions, and avoiding conflict.

Status: Complete. Will re-occur biennially.

De-Escalation Training

All South San Francisco Police Officers attend biennial de-escalation training that provides tactics on how to slow down rapidly evolving situations, create safe spaces, and allow more time to react, all while using communication techniques that defuse potentially dangerous situations.

Status: Complete. Will re-occur biennially.

Force Option Simulator Training

South San Francisco Police Department has attained technology and equipment that provides the most realistic and advanced virtual reality training for police officers. The technology provides opportunities for police officers to be placed in countless types of scenarios. Officers are then able to practice their tactics and be evaluated afterwards.

Status: On-going.

Strategic Communications

All personnel attend mandated “Strategic Communication” training to ensure they are effectively communicating while performing duties and serving the community. Communicating properly can potentially reduce the amount of force used by an officer, while also enhancing officer safety.

Status: Complete. Re-occurring.

Less Lethal Force Options

All South San Francisco Police Officers are trained to effectively use and deploy several less lethal options during scenarios that require force. In addition to the Taser, 40 mm rubber projectile, and O.C. spray, newly adopted “Pepperball” launchers have been added to the list of force options.

Status: On-going.

Body Worn & In-car Cameras

All South San Francisco Police personnel conducting enforcement and interacting with the public are required to utilize body worn & in-car cameras during their contact. Recordings are conducted to maintain transparency and accountability. All contacts are audio and video recorded and the recordings are retained and accessible as needed in accordance with the current law.

Status: On-going.

Officer Wellness and Peer Support

All South San Francisco Police Department employees have Employee Assistance Programs and resources available to them to promote self-wellness, strengthen mental health, and prevent suicide. The department is currently in the process of redeveloping and enhancing the program, making more resources available to ensure all personnel, both sworn and professional staff, have the resources needed to remain as healthy as possible while serving our community.

Status: On-going.

Policies and Procedures

The South San Francisco Police Department operates in conjunction with “Lexipol” which is the leading provider of policy and procedures for first responders and government agencies. Lexipol was designed to assist in addressing public safety challenges and improve the quality of life for all community members. Lexipol’s “standardized” policies have been critiqued, modified, and authored specifically for South San Francisco. Lexipol is readily available to all South San Francisco personnel at all times. In addition, the department subscribes to Lexipol “Daily Training Bulletins” which provides daily and on-going training in compliance with our department policies and procedures.

Status: On-going.

Community Academies

The South San Francisco Police Department offers multiple academies for our community to attend. We currently officer a Citizen’s Academy, Hispanic Community Academy, Gatepath Adult Education Academy, Youth Academy, and Summer Youth Camp. All of these academies and camps allow our community members to learn and interact with our police department personnel over the course of multiple weeks. The program is designed to acquaint community members who are not police department employees with the activities commonly conducted by the police personnel. These academies allow us to “build bridges” in our community and remain as transparent as possible.

Status: On-going.

Commission on Equity and Public Safety

The purpose of the Commission is to make recommendations regarding policies and procedures that impact equity, safety, and security across City departments. This Commission bolsters community participation and decision-making and increases transparency and accountability. The Commission on Equity and Public Safety focuses on a holistic approach to community safety. It applies an equity lens to advance fair housing, social services, policing, and other areas.

Status: On-going.