Report from 5/11 SF Police Commission Meeting

The San Francisco Police Commission meeting on Wednesday, May 11th was the first since the announcement last week that charges would be filed against the officers involved in the killing of Cammerin Boyd. At this meeting, the Commission formally accepted disciplinary charges against the officers. The meeting included heated comments from members of Boyd's family as well as loved ones of other people who have died at the hands of the SFPD, and their supporters. One of the main points that was made by speakers such as one of the founders of the OCC and attorney Kim Malcheski was that the Office of Citizen Complaints has, in the past, proved to be reluctant to file any charges against officers who have brutalized people.

Speakers felt that these charges against the officers were a first, and seemed relieved that, at least this stage of the fight for justice for Cammerin Boyd will not be dragged out over several years. Shannon Altamirano and her mother, who have been struggling for justice for Sheila Detoy, pointed out that the 7-year anniversary of Sheila's death at the hands of the SFPD is this Friday. Her case has still not been resolved. They said that thepolice (and the city) had taken advantage of the passing of time to let the statute (of limitations) run out in her case, and that she has been demonized time after time by police and the media. Elvira Pollard, whose son Gustavus Rugley was killed by SFPD ten and a half months ago, spoke about the autopsy report that she recently received, many months after her son's death. She is concerned that the statute will run out on her son's death and that the police officers who shot his body full of 35 bullets, including in his armpits, will not be held accountable for killing him. She said that she wanted to know who had been the judge, jury, and executioner, and who had done the investigation in his death.

Several speakers talked about how morale in the SFPD is at an all-time low, and even went as far as to say that the filing of charges was a "set-up.". One woman who was related to a police officer who had been killed years ago said that "you can't nail police to the wall when they do their jobs," referring to the community's condemnation of the officers who killed Cammerin Boyd. A representative of the POA, or Police Officers' Association, said that he was concerned that police are a punching bag for the community. He said that he was concerned when police were attacked in the Fajitagate scandal. Members of the Campaign for Justice for Cammerin Boyd have stated that they believe that the scandals over deaths such as Boyd's are equally as deserving of national media attention as Fajitagate. Malaika Parker of Bay Area Police Watch said that police who kill people are not supposed to be on the force, because they threaten the safety, not only of civilians, but also of their fellow officers.

Cammerin Boyd's aunt Lois pointed out that Cammerin's death is always tied to the killing of SFPD officer Isaac Espinoza, and she tried to clear up the fact that Cammerin had nothing to do with that killing. She said that he had not committed a crime, and he had not shot the officers who were involved in killing him. Isela Gonzalez, whose daughter's father was Cammerin Boyd, said that it is equally as moving and depressing when a regular person is killed as it is when a police officer is killed. Marylon Boyd, who was the first speaker under this item on the agenda, said that police comments about wanting "equal treatment" are wrong, because her son's hands were raised. She also said that she is concerned about continued harassment- her car was broken into on the day of the one-year anniversary of Cammerin's death, and her attorney's briefcase was stolen. Struggles for justice in the deaths of people such as Cammerin Boyd, Gustavus Rugley, and Sheila Detoy will continue at future Police Commission meetings.

The City of San Francisco has video from the May 11th Police Commission meeting on its website. SF Gate Report