Article 1 – Name and Purpose

The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Police Accountability Board (PAB) was established in 2023 to promote accountability, trust, and transparency between the UCSF community and the UCSF Police Department (UCSFPD) by independently reviewing and making recommendations regarding investigation results of complaints made by members of the campus community and the general public (also referred to as civilian complaints) in a fair and unbiased manner; by reviewing UCSFPD policies, procedures, practices, and trainings to make recommendation when the PAB identifies possible improvements or blind spots; and to solicit public input during open meetings.

Article 2 – Qualifications

PAB members and alternates must: (1) commit the necessary time throughout the year for PAB training and meetings; (2) prepare and read the appropriate materials in connection with making recommendations; and (3) maintain ethical standards, including confidentiality. Other than quarterly meetings, alternates only need to attend meetings and review investigation materials if/when filling in for a PAB member.

To ensure independence, no member or alternate of PAB can be a current or former UCSFPD employee, a current employee of campus counsel, or a current employee of the unit conducting the investigation.

Article 3 – Composition

PAB shall be comprised of seven (7) members and three (3) alternates who broadly represent the diversity of the UCSF community. As per the Guidance on Composition of Leadership Committees, “Committees appointed by the Chancellor or members of the Chancellor’s Cabinet must include underrepresented minorities (URM) as well as women, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming members, together totaling at least 50% of the membership.” As a guideline for PAB, membership shall include:

Two (2) learners;
One (1) faculty member;
One (1) campus staff member;
Two (2) UCSF Health members (faculty or staff);
One (1) Chair; and
Three (3) alternates

Article 4 – Nominations, Selection and Alternates

The following entities may submit nominations for representation on PAB:

Graduate Student Association (learner)
Student Academic Affairs (learner)
Academic Senate (faculty member)
Staff Assembly (campus staff)
UCSF Health (member)

The entities identified above may nominate a representative to PAB, using each entity’s respective nomination process. The Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Outreach will select PAB representatives and alternates from the nominees (or other sources, if needed), resulting in and maintaining the composition identified in Article 3. All ten (10) representatives will participate in training.

Article 5 – Terms

Inaugural PAB members and alternates serve two (2) year terms. To maintain institutional knowledge at the conclusion of that time, at the discretion of the Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Outreach, some members’ and alternates’ terms may be extended, and former alternates will be given the opportunity to serve as members. This is to maintain PAB experience during rotation periods so the entire board does not rotate off simultaneously. After that, new members and alternates will generally serve two (2) year terms except in circumstances where the member or alternate will not be a qualifying representative of their entity for the entire term. For example, a trainee graduating mid-term or a faculty member retiring mid-term would not be eligible to serve for the entire two (2) year term. Where possible, after the first year of the term, members may become alternates and alternates may become members, thereby allowing full participation in PAB during the two-year term. The PAB manager will work with the various entities to develop a pipeline of candidates in the event that a member or alternate can no longer serve on PAB.

Article 6 – Officers

The Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Outreach will serve as the inaugural Chair. Following the inaugural year, PAB shall elect one (1) of its members as the Chair and one (1) as the Vice-Chair (who shall preside only in the Chair’s absence). Officers shall be elected annually and hold office for one (1) year terms. Officers may be reelected to serve consecutive terms.

Article 7 – Ethics

PAB will be governed by the Code of Ethics, modeled on the code of ethics developed by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE).

Article 8 – Removal

The appointment of any PAB member absent from three (3) consecutive regular or special meetings shall automatically terminate effective on the third such absence.

Any breach of the PAB’s Code of Ethics will be cause for review. The Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Outreach may remove a PAB member or alternate for cause, including policy transgressions, confidentiality, or ethical standards.

Article 9 – Quorum and Voting

Five (5) members or alternates present shall constitute a meeting quorum. Decisions of PAB shall be made by vote of a majority of the members in attendance, provided that a quorum exists. Alternates will only actively participate and vote in meetings when a PAB member is absent. If more than one alternate is available, the presiding Officer will select the alternate.

Article 10 – Recusal

PAB members must recuse themselves from a matter when (1) an actual conflict of interest exists, (2) there is an appearance of impropriety, or (3) a member is concerned with whether they can participate objectively and in an unbiased manner.

Article 11 – Training and Confidentiality Commitments

PAB members and alternates shall receive training developed by UCSF partner institutions, legal affairs, and/or consultants regarding police procedures, relevant legal issues, impartiality, the confidential nature of police misconduct investigations and discipline, and the civilian oversight field. PAB members can accompany members of the UCSFPD on a ride-along if requested. Each member and alternate shall execute a confidentiality agreement.

Article 12 – PAB Powers and Duties

PAB will:

Review investigation reports submitted regarding complaints made by members of the campus community and the public against the UCSFPD, along with relevant UCSFPD policies and procedures. PAB will not review any complaints filed by UCSFPD employees.

Solicit public input by holding regularly scheduled and advertised meetings at least annually, including time for public comment. Additional meetings shall be scheduled on an as-needed basis.

Run its meetings utilizing Roberts Rules of Order as a guide.

Review and deliberate in closed session, consistent with applicable law, to protect the confidential nature of the complaints and investigation reports.

Submit advisory recommendations to the Chief of Police regarding (1) UCSFPD policies and procedures/training and (2) the findings of investigation reports. PAB may also solicit progress reports from the Chief of Police regarding policy and training recommendations. The Chief of Police, however, retains full and final authority, discretion, and responsibility regarding the ultimate disposition of the matter, including disciplinary determinations and whether to accept, reject, or modify PAB’s recommendations.

Prepare an annual public report for the UCSF community and the public, as detailed further in Article 13.

Article 13 – Reporting

In the interests of transparency and accountability, and conformity with Penal Code section 832.7, the PAB shall issue an annual public report detailing summary information and statistical data regarding the number of complaints filed, the type of complaints filed, analysis of trends or patterns, the ultimate disposition of the complaints (sustained, not sustained, exonerated or unfounded) and the percentage of complaints in which the recommendations of PAB were either accepted, rejected or modified by the Chief of Police.

Article 14 – Amendment

After consultation with PAB, these bylaws and any amendments or supplements thereto may be adopted, amended, altered, supplemented, or repealed by UCSF.

Last edited: November 29, 2023