Golden State Today

The California Department of Justice, under the leadership of Attorney General Rob Bonta, has released a report on the officer-involved shooting of Nelson Szeto that occurred in San Francisco on January 20, 2022. The report, mandated by Assembly Bill 1506, aims to bring transparency and accountability to law enforcement practices.

The investigation concluded that criminal charges were not warranted in this case. Attorney General Bonta emphasized the importance of the report in providing understanding and contributing to a safer California for all. He stated, "AB 1506 is a critical transparency and accountability tool," underscoring the tragic loss of life and injury sustained during the incident.

According to the report, the San Francisco Police Department responded to a call about a man with a gun at the San Francisco International Airport. Despite repeated orders to disarm, Mr. Szeto failed to comply, resulting in the officers fatally shooting him. The investigation found that the officers acted in lawful self-defense or defense of others, precluding criminal prosecution.

In response to the incident, the DOJ has put forth several policy recommendations to prevent similar occurrences in the future. These include equipping all officers with body-worn cameras, enhancing communication protocols with subjects, conducting after-action reviews for improved communication, reviewing radio equipment interoperability, and updating crisis intervention response policies.

The California Department of Justice's commitment to transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices is evident through the thorough investigation and policy recommendations provided in the report. The full report can be accessed for further details on the findings and recommendations.