Members Present: Ovava Afuhaamango, Scott Dignan, Diane Lozano, Estela Ortiz, William Palmer II, and Julie D. Soo.
The Sheriff’s Oversight Board of the City and County of San Francisco met in regular session on Friday, December 5, 2025, with President William Palmer, II presiding.
President Palmer called the meeting to order at 2:09 p.m.
ROLL CALL AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
On the call of the roll. Board Members Afuhaamango, Lozano, Ortiz, Palmer, and Soo, were noted present. Member Dignan appeared at 2:26 p.m.
A quorum of the Board was present.
Dan Leung, Board Secretary presented the ancestral homeland acknowledgement of the Ramaytush Ohlone, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Board Secretary Leung further thanked SFGovTV for recording and televising the meeting on Cable Channel 26, and welcomed members of the public to attend board meetings and provide public comment in-person, by email at sdob@sfgov.org, or by US Postal mail addressed to the Office of the Inspector General, 1 South Van Ness Ave, 8th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103; and noted that in person comment was limited to 2 minutes with General Public Comment taken at the end of the meeting.
President Palmer delivered a statement acknowledging reports that several women in custody may have been subjected to improper strip searches. The Sheriff’s Office is investigating, and details cannot be discussed during the active inquiry. The Board emphasized support for those who report harm, reiterated that all individuals in custody must be treated with dignity, and encouraged anyone impacted by the allegations to share concerns with the Board. The statement also highlighted the essential role of independent civilian oversight, especially amid proposed changes from the Streamlining Commission. The Board reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and protecting the rights of those in custody.
WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBER
The Board welcomed Mayor appointee Diane Lozano to the Sheriff’s Department Oversight Board. Member Lozano introduced herself and shared a brief overview of her professional background and experience.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Michael Petrelis questioned Member Lozano regarding her views on public comment, how she would address issues moving forward, and whether she would act independently or at the direction of the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
There were no discussion or requests for corrections from any Board Members on the November 14, 2025, Regular Board Meeting Minutes.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Michael Petrelis shared his views and made statements regarding public comment.
Member Soo, seconded by President Palmer, moved to approve the November 14, 2025 Regular Board Meeting Minutes, as presented. The motion carried the following vote following public comment:
Ayes: Afuhaamango, Lozano, Ortiz, Palmer, Soo
Nays: None
APPROVED.
BOARD MEMBER REPORT
Member Soo provided an update on the Commission Streamlining Task Force meetings she attended, outlining the Task Force’s recommendations and the potential impacts those recommendations may have.
Question from President Palmer.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Michael Petrelis stated that President Palmer’s announcement should have been accompanied by an opportunity for public comment.
Malik Washington, journalist and community organizer, stated that the current bureaucracy is failing to provide justice for incarcerated women.
2026 PRIORITIES, TASKS, AND BENCHMARKS
Vice President Afuhaamango presented the 2026 Priorities, Tasks, and Benchmarks.
Discussion by Members Ortiz, Soo, and Palmer.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Unidentified speaker originally from Colorado spoke about the differences in the Sheriff’s Department in Colorado and the Sheriff’s Office in San Francisco.
Danny, founder of a company named Dignify, spoke about staff safety and tech, and a lack of data on resources.
Jay Kim, also from Dignify, spoke about not being supported after incarceration and being dehumanized due to having been incarcerated. Asked to collaborate with CBO’s and other agencies.
Malik Washington spoke about Prisoner Legal Services, asked to revisit the Sheriff’s policy on strip searches, security interests, and constitutional guarantee to access to counsel.
Michael Petrelis, wanted to know what happens to complaints and how to hold deputies accountable, and the cooperation between ICE and the deputies.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
President Palmer initiated discussion on future agenda items.
Discussion from Members Ortiz, Afuhaamango, Soo and Lozano.
Future agenda items may include:
- Remote public comment
- Community meetings
- IG Recruitment
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Michael Petrelis requested remote public comment and asked that the Sheriff’s Office provide a presentation on its budget, staffing levels, and overtime.
Malik Washington requested to speak about staffing and understaffing at the jails and how these issues affect programs.
Stones Elsbeth requested collaboration with the SFSO and SFPD, as well as the use of technology to support individuals reintegrating into society.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Michael Petrelis, wanted to discuss a complaint about Deputy Andrew Martinez that he filed two years ago.
Malik Washington requested unannounced tours at the jails.
Kathy Allen from the Latino Task Force Reentry Committee, spoke about the use of solitary confinement in the jails and how it is used for punishment, and asked the Board to look into the use of solitary confinement.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business and no objection from any Member, the Board adjourned at the hour of 3:32 p.m.
N.B. The Minutes of this meeting set forth all actions taken by the Sheriff’s Department Oversight Board on the matters stated.
Approved by the Sheriff's Department Oversight Board on January 9, 2026.
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Dan Leung, Board Secretary
Full video recording may be accessed at: https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/51296?view_id=223&redirect=true