Ethics Commission reviews Sunshine Task Force referral against San Francisco Police Department

The July 11, 2025, meeting of the San Francisco Ethics Commission focused on the ongoing case of Matthew Latoki versus the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). This hearing was a continuation of discussions initiated on June 13, 2025, regarding the SFPD's alleged failure to comply with an order from the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force.

The meeting began with a review of the case's background, highlighting that the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force had referred the matter to the Ethics Commission for enforcement proceedings under the administrative code. The commission noted that Lieutenant Jonathan Ozil represented the SFPD, while Matthew Latoki, the petitioner, was absent. Dean Schmidt attended on behalf of the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force.

The commission's deliberations included a presentation from Enforcement Director VC Matthews, who reiterated that the enforcement staff recommended no action due to the absence of provisions for monetary penalties or remedies for non-willful violations. The discussion then shifted to the complexities surrounding the Sunshine Ordinance and the Ethics Commission's authority to adjudicate such cases.

Commissioners expressed concerns about the clarity of the ordinance and the implications of the SFPD's non-compliance with the task force's order. They debated whether the commission could find a willful violation of the Sunshine Ordinance, with some members suggesting that the matter should be referred back to the Sunshine Task Force for further clarification.

Public comments included statements from Latoki, who expressed disappointment at not being able to participate in person and argued that the task force's orders should be treated as binding. Other commenters emphasized the need for the commission to act on the referral, citing past instances where non-willful violations had been addressed.

Ultimately, the commission decided to take no action on the referral without prejudice, allowing Latoki or the task force to pursue the matter through alternative procedures in the future. The meeting concluded with a recognition of the need for clearer guidelines and processes regarding the enforcement of the Sunshine Ordinance.