The San Jose City Council meeting on June 17, 2025, spotlighted a significant rise in use of force cases reported by the Independent Police Auditor (IPA), with a 3.8% increase from 2023 to 2024. The updated figures revealed a total of 569 use of force incidents, including five officer-involved shootings and several serious injury cases linked to canine deployments.

IPA Eddie Garcia presented the findings, emphasizing that all force used was deemed reasonable, but raised concerns about patterns in the data. Notably, canines were involved in four out of seven serious injury cases, prompting a recommendation for the San Jose Police Department to review their canine deployment procedures. Additionally, the report highlighted that 100% of subjects in officer-involved shootings displayed threatening behavior prior to the incidents, with 80% of officers firing their weapons only after being attacked.

Council members expressed their support for the IPA's work, with Councilmember Kamay commending the strategic plan developed by the IPA office as a roadmap for future accountability and community engagement. However, tensions arose during discussions about the collaboration process among council members, with Councilmember Dwan voicing concerns over perceived plagiarism in memo submissions related to police accountability measures.

Despite the disagreements, the council moved forward with a commitment to transparency and integrity in law enforcement oversight. The meeting concluded with a collective acknowledgment of the importance of community trust and the need for continued collaboration among council members to address public safety concerns effectively.