Family Violence Council: Justice and Courage Committee Meeting

December 4, 2020, 9:30 – 11:00 am

Online Meeting

 

1. Welcome, Introductions/Check-In

• Mr. Theisen welcomed committee members, informed of agenda changes, and facilitated trauma informed check-in.

 

2. Bridging Pretrial Communication Gap

• Ms. Upton requested an update on domestic violence cases from Theresa at next committee meeting.
• Ms. Upton suggested including this issue in the letter being sent to judicial council.

 

3. Treatment of Charges During Pandemic

• No update

 

4. Arrests of Domestic Violence Survivors

• No update

 

5. Electronic Monitoring in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Cases

 

• Chief Fisher shared that a large percentage of people on electronic monitoring are family or domestic violence related and that the uptick in number of perpetrators on electronic monitoring is likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is still a large percentage of individuals removing their monitoring devices and violating the terms of their release. SFSD is working with additional agencies to try and minimize the impact of this on survivors, however, more work needs to be done.
• Mr. Theisen asked about the consequences of cutting off an electronic monitoring device. Mr. Allred responded that the District Attorney’s office asks that an individual who cut off their electronic monitoring device be detained. When an individual violates their terms and goes to a restricted geography the Sheriff’s department responds immediately if a survivor is involved. The Sheriff’s department attempts to call the survivor to monitor their safety.
• Chief Fisher will share a presentation on electronic monitoring with the committee.
• Ms. Korr asked what distance is prohibited for perpetrators. Mr. Allred added that the distance away from a survivor is typically 150 yards, but ultimately, the distance is set at the discretion of the judge.
• Ms. Upton suggested that the committee independently touch-base with supervisors after viewing the electronic monitoring presentation to inform them that the domestic violence section of this is life-threatening.

 

6. Update on DGO 6.09/Domestic Violence Manual and Training Plan for SFPD

• Ms. Hansell shared an update. Chief Scott has reviewed and approved the draft which will be scheduled at the Police Commission early in the new year.

 

7. Deferred Action on Domestic Violence Cases

• Ms. Upton discussed that batterer’s intervention needs to be available for domestic violence cases instead of anger management.

 

8. Planning agenda for 2/5/2021 meeting

• Chief Fisher shared an update on the budget for the Survivor Restoration Program and victim’s services. The Sheriff is committed to increasing services available to victims. Ms. Upton added that the budget is a live issue that has come up in the Domestic Violence Consortium as well.
• Mr. Theisen asked Ms. Hansell to send out notice to committee with 2021 meeting dates and to invite new Director of Department on the Status of Women to the February committee meeting. Mr. Theisen also asked to meet the new Sheriff and Chief of Adult Probation in the upcoming year.
• Ms. Upton suggested an advisory/ad hoc group be created that Ivy Lee and the Alternative to Policing Steering Committee can tap into to support the new Community Response Team.
• Ms. Korr shared concerns regarding an San Francisco Police Department form that is used to terminate investigations being used in domestic violence cases. Mr. Korr will send the form to Ms. Hansell who will share with the rest of the committee.
• Ms. Upton asked the committee to report updates at the Family Violence Council.
• Ms. Upton thanked Mr. Korr for representing the committee at Ethnic media.
• Mr. Theisen adjourned the meeting.

ACTION ITEMS

Action Item	Person	Deadline	Reported Out
Ask Theresa to give update on DV trial diversion at next meeting.	Fawn Korr	02/05/2021
Include pretrial communication gap issue in letter to judicial council.	Beverly Upton	02/05/2021
Send Electronic Monitoring presentation to committee.	Michele Fisher	02/05/2021
Send SFPD investigation termination form to Elise Hansell.	Fawn Korr	02/05/2021
Send SFPD investigation termination form to committee.	Elise Hansell	02/05/2021
Send out Justice & Courage Committee 2021 meeting calendar.	Elise Hansell	02/05/2021
Invite Kimberly Ellis, Director, DOSW to February. Meeting.	Elise Hansell	02/05/2021
Invite new Sheriff to committee meeting.	Michele Fisher	02/05/2021
Invite Chief of Adult Probation to committee meeting.	Chauncey Robinson	02/05/2021
Alternatives to Policing advisory group.	Beverly Upton	02/05/2021