California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced the release of a final report on the San Francisco Police Department's (SFPD) reform efforts. The report evaluates SFPD's implementation of 272 reforms recommended by the U.S. Department of Justice (US DOJ). It indicates that SFPD has completed 96.7%—or 263 out of 272—of these reforms, with the remaining nine still in progress.
"This report marks an important milestone in SFPD’s yearslong effort to increase public trust by improving its policing practices, transparency, and accountability," said Attorney General Bonta. "I credit SFPD for its commitment to significant structural and cultural reform, and for its initiative in seeking continued oversight from our office."
The California Department of Justice (CADOJ) took over oversight responsibilities in 2018 after the first Trump Administration abandoned police reform efforts overseen by US DOJ. CADOJ worked alongside the City and County of San Francisco and SFPD under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide technical assistance and independent evaluation.
The reform process included three phases, with assessments provided by CADOJ and expert consultant Jensen Hughes. The final report outlines SFPD's substantial compliance with recommendations. Notable outcomes include a decline in overall use of force between 2017 and 2023, a nearly 50% reduction in yearly average shootings since signing the MOU compared to previous years, and a significant decrease in racial disparities concerning force used against Black individuals.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized his commitment to strengthening trust between law enforcement agencies and communities as part of broader public safety efforts across California. His recent actions include securing a settlement agreement with Vallejo city requiring police department reforms, launching investigations into allegations at Riverside County Sheriff's Department, assuming responsibility for an investigation related to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department contracts, opening an investigation into Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office practices, reviewing Torrance Police Department activities independently, and securing a judgment against Bakersfield Police Department mandating extensive actions for public safety promotion.
A copy of the letter accompanying the report is available for public access.