The City of San Diego (City) is seeking qualified outside counsel to provide as-needed legal services for the Office of the Commission on Police Practices (CPP or Commission), which provides civilian oversight of the City’s Police Department and sworn police officers. In November 2020, City voters approved San Diego City Charter (Charter) section 41.2, which created the Commission as an investigatory body of the City that is independent of the Mayor and the Police Department. The Commission has certain mandatory duties and discretionary powers, as described in the Charter. The City Council (Council) may, by ordinance, mandate additional duties and authorize additional powers for the Commission, consistent with the Charter and applicable federal and state law. The Council has created the Office of the Commission on Police Practices, which is headed by the Commission’s Executive Director. In accordance with Charter section 41.2, the Commission must retain its own legal counsel, independent of the City Attorney, for legal support and advice in carrying out the Commission’s duties and actions. The Office of the Commission on Police Practices has hired a full-time General Counsel, who is a City Employee. The Office of the Commission on Police Practices also intends to use independent, outside counsel (Outside Counsel) employed through a City contract on an ongoing as-needed basis.
