Press Release: Independent Police Auditor Notified of Officer-Involved Shooting #3 and Protocol Change (Updated: Friday, July 18, 2025)

On Sunday evening, July 13, the Office of the Independent Police Auditor (IPA) was notified of an officer-involved shooting (OIS) that occurred earlier in the day. The San José Police Department (SJPD) provided a preliminary summary of the incident, though details were initially limited.

During this notification, the IPA was made aware of a significant and recently implemented change to SJPD’s response protocol for officer-involved shootings. The new protocol, reportedly adopted within the prior week, directed Internal Affairs (IA) personnel to no longer respond to the scene of an OIS nor observe any part of the associated criminal investigation until it was ready for IA processing. This marked a sharp departure from previous SJPD practices and from nationally recognized standards that emphasize the importance of early oversight in use-of-force incidents.

The IPA expressed serious concern regarding this shift, emphasizing that early involvement by oversight and internal review bodies is essential to maintaining public trust, transparency, and accountability during critical incidents. These concerns were directly communicated to the Chief of Police in the days following the incident.

In response to the IPA’s feedback and in alignment with community expectations and best oversight practices, the Chief of Police has reinstated the prior protocol. Internal Affairs personnel will once again respond to the scene of officer-involved shootings to observe and monitor the criminal investigation, and coordinate with the IPA during the initial stages of the investigation.

This decision reflects a constructive response to oversight concerns and reflects the importance of transparent and accountable policing. While the procedural adjustment pertains to Internal Affairs’ responsibilities, the IPA’s protocol and commitment to independent civilian oversight have remained unchanged throughout.

The IPA Office remains dedicated to strengthening accountability and trust between the community and the San José Police Department through transparent and timely oversight.