San Francisco Police Commission Meeting on Chief Search, Flock Data, and Policy Revisions on September 10, 2025

The San Francisco Police Commission convened on September 10, 2025, for a comprehensive meeting covering the search for a permanent chief of police, an investigation into unauthorized out-of-state queries of the department’s Flock ALPR camera system, updates on city crime trends, and the approval or revision of several Department General Orders (DGOs). Commissioners also heard budgetary clarifications from the Department of Police Accountability (DPA) and a presentation on second-quarter disciplinary review board findings.

Consent Calendar

• The commission unanimously voted (5-0) to receive and file the Semi-annual Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Report (January–June 2025), the Q2 2025 Firearm Discharge Review Board Summary, and the SFPD and DPA SB 1421 and SB16 monthly reports for August 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chris Workline, representing the Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force, spoke on political violence and urged the commission and community to focus on constitutional rights, peace, and unity.
• Devon Anderson, President of TWU Local 200, criticized DPA Director Paul Henderson’s prior statement that layoff notices had been rescinded, calling it inaccurate and damaging to worker morale. Anderson argued members remain under termination threat.
• A mother of a homicide victim advocated for greater publicity and implementation of the new Tipster legislation, stressing its importance for solving unsolved cases.
• During public comment on the Chief’s report, a mother whose son was murdered in 2006 displayed photos of suspects, calling for continued awareness and justice for unsolved homicides.
• A community member speaking on the Chief of Police search expressed hope that the new chief would be attentive to community trauma and present in all neighborhoods.

Discussion Items

• Chief’s Report & Crime Trends: Interim Chief Paul Yep reported overall crime down 25% year-to-date, homicides down 33% (16 YTD vs 24 last year), and gun violence down 28%. Human trafficking incidents doubled (18 vs. 9) but clearance rates jumped 182% (to 35.3%), attributed to better officer training. Detailed significant incidents included an officer-involved shooting in the Bayview (town hall scheduled for Sept 12) and a 6-victim shooting involving an illegal cannabis operation.
• Flock ALPR Data Sharing Investigation: Chief Yep stated an audit revealed out-of-state agencies conducted queries of SFPD’s Flock camera system until mid-February 2025. He stated SFPD did not knowingly enable sharing. An investigation with the City Attorney’s office and Flock is underway to determine the mechanism and whether data was obtained. A transparency portal for in-state sharing is being developed.
• Recruit Death and Sanctuary Policy: Chief Yep noted multiple concurrent outside investigations into the death of a police recruit and confirmed the Behavioral Science Unit provided support. He emphatically reaffirmed the department’s commitment to sanctuary city policies in both physical enforcement and data sharing, stating any intentional violations would face the highest discipline.
• DPA Budget and Caseload: Acting Executive Director Sharon Wu clarified that four positions were eliminated during budget negotiations, but no staff was terminated because temporary positions were created using existing funds. Caseloads have increased 27% year-over-year with 140 more cases, handled by 16 investigators.
• Chief of Police Search: Consultant Daniel Hahn (Ralph Andersen & Associates) reported 34 candidates applied before the September 8 deadline. Nine community listening sessions had been or will be held. The community feedback survey deadline was extended to September 24. Commissioners will receive candidate binders and community input findings by the end of September.
• DGO 6.13 (Hate Crimes) Revision: Lieutenant Bassiobot presented a revision renaming the policy from “Prejudice-Based Incidents” to “Hate Crimes,” adding definitions and procedures for non-criminal hate incidents to connect victims with support services. Vice President Benedicto requested a minor wording change to avoid referencing a specific state agency name. The item was held for revision rather than an immediate vote.
• DGO 8.12 (In-Custody Deaths) Revision: Commander Hart presented the update, last revised in 2009. It adds definitions for investigation types, clarifies alignment with the District Attorney’s MOU, and streamlines the return-to-duty process.
• Disciplinary Review Board Q2 2025 Findings: Lieutenant Springer and Acting Director Wu reported top IAD trend categories were Conduct Unbecoming (28%) and Failure to Appear at Range (23.88%). DPA identified a policy failure in a swatting incident that was already remedied by the department prior to the meeting. IAD identified one training failure involving a warrantless vehicle search during a property damage accident; retraining on 4th Amendment exceptions was recommended. The Office of Equity and Inclusion found no bias disparities.

Key Outcomes

• The consent calendar was unanimously received and filed.
• DGO 3.02 (Terms and Definitions) was approved unanimously (6-0) for department use.
• DGO 6.13 (Hate Crimes) was held from a vote for a minor wording revision.
• DGO 8.12 (In-Custody Deaths) was unanimously (6-0) sent to the meet and confer process with affected bargaining units.
• The Flock data sharing investigation remains ongoing; Chief Yep will report back on contractual terms and technical mechanisms.
• The Chief of Police search advanced with 34 applications received and community input collection continuing.
• The commission voted unanimously to hold Item 13 in Closed Session and subsequently unanimously elected not to disclose any discussion held therein.