San Francisco Police Commission Meeting – November 5, 2025

The San Francisco Police Commission met on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 1:45 PM. The meeting included officer recognition, presentations on crime trends and departmental activities, a major discussion on proposed district boundary changes, and approval of a policy update. The commission voted unanimously on several items, including adopting new district boundaries and advancing a revised general order.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar included the SFPD and DPA document protocol report (Q3 2025), Family Code 628 quarterly report (Q3 2025), and a grant of $654,609 from the Board of State and Community Corrections for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant Equipment and Training Program.
• Commissioner Benedicto requested that the SFPD and DPA Sparks reports (Q3 2025) and the IAD quarterly reports (Q2 and Q3 2025) be removed from the consent calendar and added to future regular agenda items.
• The remaining consent items were approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

General Public Comment (Line Item 2):

• Daniel Reed spoke about a settlement offer with the city attorney’s office and alleged misconduct by the former police department. He referenced a civil recall lawsuit against SFPD and urged consideration of the offer.
• A speaker (name not given) distributed a circular alleging institutionalized child trafficking and called for public action.
• A mother (name not provided) spoke about her son’s unsolved homicide, displaying photos and naming alleged perpetrators. She requested continued attention to unsolved cases.
• Fiona Yim (Walk San Francisco) urged the commission to hold SFPD accountable for implementing the Street Safety Act, including developing a plan for enforcement of dangerous driving behaviors by end of 2026 and increasing high-visibility speed enforcement on high-injury streets. She noted that SFPD must include traffic citation and crash statistics in monthly crime reports and share crash reports after fatal incidents.
• Glenis Fowler (Mission Bay resident) supported the Street Safety Act and emphasized that traffic safety benefits both pedestrians and police officers.
• Bettina Cohen (former PSAC member) supported the Street Safety Act, describing witnessing a pedestrian fatality in 2004 and noting recent hit-and-run collisions near a new elementary school in Mission Bay. She urged increased traffic enforcement.

Public Comment on District Boundaries (Line Item 8):

• Barbara Swan (Lower Knob Hill Neighborhood Alliance) thanked the commission for the analysis and expressed support for the department’s recommended map, stating it brings needed resources to Lower Knob Hill, Lower Polk, and the Tenderloin.
• Sean (Soma West Neighborhood Association) opposed the proposal without a staffing plan. He cited data showing Southern District officers handle 390 calls per officer (vs. 206 in Park District) and claimed the proposal adds 25% more call volume. He urged the commission to require a staffing plan before approving boundaries.
• Reese (President, Soma West Neighborhood Association) presented a petition of over 200 individuals and organizations calling for adequate staffing. He noted a 50% increase in crime incidents in Southern Station in the first six months of 2025. He opposed implementing changes without a committed staffing plan.
• A speaker (name not provided) from Soma West described a knife fight outside his building and said police were often unavailable. He criticized the lack of a staffing plan and urged the commission to require one.
• Adam Hong (Soma West Neighbors) presented data showing Southern Station would see a 60% increase in incidents under the proposal (using recent data) and argued the staffing deficit is growing (short 66 of 180 officers). He requested a staffing plan that would raise Southern’s count to at least 160 officers.
• Bruce Agate (South Beach Rincon Mission Bay Neighborhood Association) encouraged the commission to delay implementation until staffing is approved. He noted that augmented police staffing for Chase Center (funded by a TIF) has not been provided this fiscal year, with carryover funds ending in December.
• Randy Shaw (Tenderloin Housing Clinic) supported the boundary changes, arguing that the Tenderloin has been historically underserved and that the current map harms the Tenderloin’s reputation. He recalled a 2015 decision to expand Tenderloin Station led to increased crime.
• Debbie Gould (Mission Bay resident and CPAB member) noted that Mission Bay was not included in town hall meetings and asked for a staffing plan that accounts for retirements and potential station on Treasure Island.
• Bettina Cohen (Southern District resident) opposed the boundary change without more officers, stating that Mission Bay faces fentanyl use and discarded needles. She called for reassignment of officers from areas where crime is down.
• Henry Canilla (MALICARD Business Association) urged staffing for Southern Station, noting it operates with 46 fewer officers than needed and the proposal would add 18,000 more 911 calls in six months. He called for equitable staffing before expansion.
• Alex Ludlum (Soma West Community Benefit District) criticized the status quo, arguing that police do not aspire to provide law and order in the public realm and that the department’s policy results in unequal policing.
• Josh (Soma resident) described daily burglaries and drug activity, stating Southern Station is already understaffed. He opposed boundary changes without a staffing plan.
• David Singer (Soma resident) noted Southern Station is overburdened and that the Six Street corridor is degenerating. He opposed redistricting until staffing assignments are made, not just promised.
• A representative from UC Law San Francisco (name not given) supported the revised plan, acknowledging concerns but praising the work of the commission and SFPD in responding to the Tenderloin community.
• Shelley Casnatini (Rincon Hill dog park manager) opposed being lumped with the Tenderloin, citing understaffing and lack of patrol officers. She displayed a photo of open drug activity near 111 Taylor Street.
• Gloria (Program Manager, Code Enforcement and Voz Latina) supported the boundary changes, stating the Tenderloin needs faster police response and that the changes will enhance safety.
• Alice Rogers (President, South Beach Rincon Mission Bay Neighborhood Association) thanked the commission for not separating Mission Bay from the neighborhood but requested a staffing plan before boundaries change.
• Isan Looper (Tenderloin Community Benefit District) supported the changes, recalling his father’s role in the neighborhood. He expressed hope but concern that past promises were not kept.

Discussion Items

Chief’s Report (Line Item 5):

• Interim Chief Paul Yep reported on the homicide reward ordinance update: a flyer and media campaign (“You Can Help 2”) was launched to encourage tips on cold case homicides.
• Crime trends (year-to-date vs. 2024): overall part one crimes down 26%, violent crimes down 18%, homicides down 27% (22 vs. 30), gun violence down 16%, rapes down 16%, assaults down 14%, robberies down 23%, human trafficking up 110% (attributed to increased reporting). Property crime down 28%, burglaries down 29%.
• An anomaly: robberies up 104% from 23 to 47 incidents in the reporting week (mostly strong-arm robberies). Investigations underway.
• Significant incidents: one shooting on Halloween (victim stable, no arrest); arrest made in a fatal hit-and-run from October 4; arrest in sexual battery and kidnapping of a juvenile; large-scale retail theft operation at Stonestown Mall yielding eight reports, three warrant arrests, six misdemeanors, one felony.
• Halloween operations were generally peaceful except for one shooting. Upcoming Veterans Day Parade on November 9.
• Commissioner Scott commended the department for reduced homicide rates. Public comment from a mother (Arbor’s case) thanked for the reward poster and asked for broader distribution.

DPA Director’s Report (Line Item 6):

• Executive Director Paul Henderson reported a 22% increase in complaints (476 more cases opened than last year). Most common allegation: officers behaving or speaking inappropriately.
• DPA remains 100% compliant with 3304 deadlines; 11 cases over 270 days (all on hold).
• Projects: website update for ADA compliance, digitalization of case files (savings on storage), report re-envisioning project (digital survey to commissioners within 48 hours), use of force audit exit conference held on October 30; final report expected by November 10.

Commission Reports (Line Item 7):

• President Clay reported attending the Chief’s Advisory Forum; community members requested more commission engagement in neighborhoods. He hopes to schedule community meetings in 2026.
• Commissioner Yee thanked Chief Yep and Mayor Lurie for the Officer of the Month ceremony and sponsors.

Presentation on SFPD District Boundaries (Line Item 8):

• Jason Cunningham (SFPD Program Manager) presented the analysis of seven proposed boundary changes requested by the commission, plus three technical changes (C, D, E) from the department’s 2024 proposal.
• Changes affect Southern, Northern, Central, Tenderloin, Mission, and Park stations. Southern Station would see a 24-25% increase in calls for service and ~28% increase in incidents; Northern would see a 15-16% reduction.
• Chief Yep expressed support for the changes and committed to making staffing adjustments over 6-12 months, using data-driven redeployment.
• Vice President Benedicto provided extensive background: the process began in spring 2024 with a consultant (Arkridge), public hearings, focus groups, and 12+ data factors. The map was published in February 2025, with extended public comment. Supervisors Souter, Mahmood, and Dorsey (via letter) expressed support or called for adequate staffing.
• Commissioners discussed staffing concerns; Chief Yep reaffirmed commitment to proportional staffing, including surge resources and use of DMAC, hospitality zones, and special event staffing.
• A motion to adopt the department’s recommended district boundary maps was made and seconded.

Department General Order 5.08 (Line Item 9):

• Aja Steves (Policy Development Division) presented the revised DGO on plainclothes, non-uniformed, and undercover officers. The update incorporates edits from Commissioner Leong, the Public Defender’s Office (language consistency), and DPA feedback. The DGO was last updated in 1996.
• Commissioner Benedicto moved to approve the revised DGO for use in meeting and conferring with affected bargaining units. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).

Closed Session (Line Items 10-13):

• The commission voted unanimously to hold a closed session (Line Item 12) under Government Code sections 54957(b) and 54956.9(a) and San Francisco Administrative Code sections 67.10(b) and (d).
• After closed session, the commission voted unanimously (6-0) not to disclose any discussion from closed session.
• The meeting adjourned.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved with the exception of Sparks reports (Q3 2025) and IAD quarterly reports (Q2 & Q3 2025), which will be agendized separately.
• Minutes: Approved for meetings of October 1, 8, and 14-15, 2025 (7-0).
• District Boundaries: The commission approved the department’s recommended district boundary maps (7-0). Implementation is expected in the second half of 2026, with a cutover date of July 1 or October 1, 2026. The department committed to data-driven staffing adjustments and community outreach.
• Department General Order 5.08: Approved for use in meet-and-confer negotiations with affected bargaining units (7-0).
• Closed Session: Held; no disclosure of discussion was ordered.