​Palo Alto Mulls Police Auditor Oversight Expansion: Report

PALO ALTO, CA – Palo Alto’s City Council is considering expanding the scope of the city’s independent police auditor, Palo Alto Weekly reports.

Michael Gennaco’s OIR Group, which has served as the city’s independent police auditor since 2008, currently only investigates incidents involving complaints, the report said.

"That cuts out a large swath of use of force that is used by a Police Department but that we never see," Gennaco said, according to the report.

"If a canine is deployed and bites an individual, we don't look at that unless a person complains. If a baton is used on an individual, we will not see that unless there is a complaint. Pepper spray, takedowns, control holds … all that force is something we would not see as part of our ordinary responsibilities unless a complaint is filed."

Under an expansion of its scope, the independent auditor would be able to investigate incidents such as the use of Tasers and other use-of-force incidents in incidents in which there are no official complaints.

Police Chief Robert Jonsen acknowledged that having an auditor benefits his department, but expressed concern that having too many agencies involved in examining it could be problematic.

"I hope it's well-thought out and coordinated and that we have all aspects of the Police Department looked at by appropriate agencies," Jonsen said.

Read more at Palo Alto Weekly