San Francisco Police Commission Meeting - September 17, 2025
San Francisco Police Commission Meeting - September 17, 2025
The San Francisco Police Commission met on September 17, 2025, with Vice President Benedicto presiding and several commissioners present. The meeting featured the recognition of Acting Sergeant Jeffrey Fortuno as Officer of the Week, public comments on crime statistics and policy concerns, reports from Interim Chief Paul Yep and DPA Executive Director Paul Henderson, commission updates, and a presentation by DPA interns on updating First Amendment guidelines. The commission unanimously adopted two department general orders.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Chris Workline commented on crime statistics, noting San Francisco had three mass shootings in 2025, and called for a moment of silence for officers fatally shot in Pennsylvania.
- Paul Allen urged the commission to adopt a formal statement opposing the introduction of uninvited military forces (e.g., National Guard) onto San Francisco streets, arguing it would imperil public safety.
- A speaker made abstract comments on beauty, ugliness, and alluded to a shooting incident, suggesting it might be staged.
- A mother discussed her son's unsolved homicide from 2006 and advocated for increased awareness of legislation to pay tipsters for information on unsolved crimes.
Discussion Items
- Chief's Report: Interim Chief Paul Yep reported a 27% decrease in Part 1 crimes year-to-date, with violent crime down 19%. Homicides decreased by 29%, but human trafficking incidents increased by 80% due to enhanced staffing and proactive operations. Notable arrests included firearms and narcotics cases. Upcoming events like the Portola Music Festival were highlighted.
- DPA Director's Report: Executive Director Paul Henderson reported a 27% increase in complaints but 100% compliance with investigation timelines. He highlighted DPA's internship program and upcoming presentation.
- Commission Reports: Vice President Benedicto and commissioners provided updates on the police chief search survey, academy graduation, command staff promotions, and community outreach events. Commissioner Scott announced a National Day of Remembrance for murder victims.
- DPA Internship Presentation: Interns from the DPA summer cohort presented five recommendations for revising SFPD General Order 8.10 (Guidelines for First Amendment Activities), including defining key terms, referencing surveillance technology laws, establishing an oversight unit, expanding training, and adding incident reporting tags. The presentation was based on research and best practices from other jurisdictions.
Key Outcomes
- Acting Sergeant Jeffrey Fortuno was recognized as Officer of the Week for his leadership and service on the tactical team.
- The commission unanimously adopted revised Department General Order 5.18 (Persons in Custody and Transportation) and DGO 9.06 (Vehicle Tows) after meet-and-confer processes.
- Vice President Benedicto requested that the SFPD agendize a formal response to the DPA interns' recommendations for DGO 8.10 for future commission consideration.
Meeting Transcript
For which stands one nation under DARA, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Vice President Benedict, I'd like to take roll. Please go ahead. Commissioner Tecke. Here. Commissioner Scott. Here. Commissioner Leong. Here. Commissioner Yi. Here. Commissioner Elias is excused, as well as President Clay. Vice President Benedicto, you have a quorum also with us tonight. We have interim chief Paul Yep from the San Francisco Police Department and Executive Director Paul Henderson from the Department of Police Accountability. Thank you, Sergeant. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to our the police commission meeting of September 17th, 2025. Sergeant, if you would please call the first item. Line item one, weekly officer recognition certificate. Presentation of an officer who has gone above and beyond in the performance of their duties. Officer Jeffrey Fortuno, number 2000, acting sergeant and team leader for tactical. Welcome. Welcome. Wait till everyone gets in here. One second, we got a big crew coming here. We have the department. We love to see it. Why wouldn't we? Yeah. We love to see it. I'll go off script a little bit before I start here. Chief knows us well. Great. Good evening. I'm Lieutenant Mason. I'm the commanding officer of the tactical company. It's my honor and privilege to present acting Sergeant Fortuna, and I'll be reading a few nice facts about him. I think we're all going to enjoy. Especially the tactical team, which is here in support. The SF tactical team has a very different job description. The descriptions of tactical team members that are not in any announcement in the SFPD include the following items. You have to volunteer, long hours, 16 to 20 hour days are common. Today's been a 23-hour day for our team. Away from the family constantly, training in the rain, the bay, mountains, airplanes, all over the city and county of San Francisco. Arresting the worst of the worst. Murderers, child molesters, robbers, and rapists, and finally putting the city of San Francisco first. That job description is not for everyone in the police department. But this job description is for Sergeant Fortuno. Nine years ago, Fortuna volunteered for SFD TAC. He passed a vigorous physical and written test for entrance and then passed a three-month intense basic tactical course. In those nine years, Fortuno has risen through the ranks to become a tactical team leader and an acting sergeant.
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