San Diego council fills vacancies on Commission on Police Practices after multi‑round balloting

Council President Lacava and city staff presided over a special July 13 session to fill multiple vacancies on the Commission on Police Practices (CPP). After two‑minute statements from each nominee and a round of council questions focused on impartiality, the council conducted sequential paper ballots to fill district, low/moderate‑income, youth and at‑large seats.

Candidates addressed the council in alphabetical order, summarizing experience and explaining how they would remain neutral fact‑finders for the commission. Nominees who introduced themselves on the record included Arin Dixit (youth/at‑large), Francisco Peralta, Hemant Chaturala, Jim Roland, Kelly Brusher, Michael Allen Fauken, Rashida Lamar Hamid and Emmanuel Barrera. Councilmember Von Wilpert asked each candidate how they would maintain impartiality when adjudicating complaints; several cited prior jury service, restorative justice training, research experience, or data and legal training as reasoned bases to remain neutral.

Before balloting, Armando Flores, vice chair of strategic planning for the CPP, told the council the commission conducted its own recruitment and recommended six nominees from 21 applicants after a scored interview process.

The clerk outlined the balloting procedure and tallied votes aloud at the end of each round. Results included:

- District 8: Jesus Martin Gallegos Munoz was appointed.
- Youth seats: Kelly Brusher (7 votes) and Arin Dixit (5 votes) were appointed.
- Low/moderate‑income (term ending 06/30/2027): Scott Rodriguez (5 votes) and James Tyrell Ruhlin (7 votes) were appointed after successive rounds.
- Low/moderate‑income (term ending 06/30/2028): Francisco Peralta Vargas (5 votes) and Rashida Lamar Hamid (5 votes) were appointed after additional rounds.
- At‑large: Michael Allen Fauken and Crystal Van Dyke were appointed after multiple ballots (Van Dyke received 5 affirmative votes in the deciding round).

Clerk Fuentes said appointments are contingent on successful background checks; the office will contact appointees to arrange swearing‑in once vetting is complete. Members of the public urged swift completion of the CPP so the body can reach full staffing and begin its oversight work, while others asked council to ensure appointees can approach cases impartially.

The council recessed the session after completing the appointments and moved on to other business.