The role of Medical Examiner Investigator is critical in ensuring that justice is served in cases of sudden or unexpected deaths. In San Francisco, the majority of these coroner investigators are California POST Certified Peace Officers, who undergo rigorous screening, training, and are held to a higher standard of conduct than civilians. However in the past the City and County of San Francisco had civilianized Medical Examiner Investigator I which should be a peace officer position, which is a cause for concern.

The decision to hire peace officers as Medical Examiner Investigators is not arbitrary. Peace officers are trained to handle potentially dangerous and unpredictable situations and work with grieving families, law enforcement agencies, and medical professionals. They are experts in conducting thorough investigations, identifying evidence, and following proper procedures to ensure justice is served. The hiring of peace officers as Medical Examiner Investigators ensures impartiality, professionalism, and expertise in investigations. The flaw in the Cities hiring process for Medical Examiner Investigators is their 2577 Medical Examiner Investigator I position.  The current Medical Examiner Investigator I position is not a peace officer position, it does not meet the standards  of the California Government Code for Peace Officer and it does not have the same stringent screening process.  This should be fixed immediately by making the Medical Examiner Investigator I position a P.O.S.T. Basic Coroners Academy position only, meaning that Medical Examiner investigator I is only for the duration of the Basic Coroners Academy and training.  Once completed, the Medical Examiner I promotes to Medical Examiner II.

The recent incidents of theft at the San Francisco Medical Examiner’s Office have further highlighted the importance of having trained and qualified peace officers in positions of responsibility. Theft of property, including evidence or sensitive information, can compromise the integrity of investigations and lead to miscarriages of justice. The thefts at the Medical Examiner’s Office have been carried out by civilians.

Replacing peace officers with civilians in positions of responsibility may compromise the quality of investigations, and ultimately, the integrity of the justice system. Civilians may lack the training and expertise necessary to handle sensitive information and secure evidence properly.

The decision to civilianize peace officer positions risks the expertise and professionalism that peace officers bring to the role of Medical Examiner Investigator. San Francisco must prioritize the integrity of investigations by ensuring that those who conduct them are qualified and experienced peace officers. The people of San Francisco deserve the best possible investigations, and that requires qualified and experienced peace officers in positions of responsibility.

In conclusion, San Francisco must rescind it’s current practice of hiring civilian investigators its attempts to civilianize peace officer positions within the Medical Examiner’s Office. The recent incidents of theft at the Medical Examiner’s Office highlight the importance of having qualified and trained peace officers in positions of responsibility. Civilians lack the training and expertise necessary to handle sensitive information and secure evidence properly. The people of San Francisco deserve the best possible investigations, and that is only possible with trained, qualified, and experienced peace officers as Medical Examiner Investigators. It is the responsibility of the City and County of San Francisco to provide the best possible investigations for its citizens, and that requires qualified and experienced peace officers in positions of responsibility.