San Francisco Police Commission Meeting (November 19, 2025)

The San Francisco Police Commission convened on November 19, 2025 (meeting opened with roll call; quorum present). President Clay chaired with Commissioners Tecky, Scott, Leung, Yee, and Vice President Benedicto present (Commissioner Elias noted as en route). The Commission heard recognitions for two officers, received public testimony including a request for assistance reporting threats, reviewed citywide crime and DPA workload statistics, received major presentations on sworn recruitment/hiring and the 2025 staffing analysis, reviewed Early Intervention System (EIS) aggregate data for Q1–Q2 2025, and adopted a revised Department General Order (DGO) on sexual assaults. The Commission also voted to enter closed session and later voted on disclosure parameters.

Consent Calendar

• Police Commission Statement of Purpose (City Charter 4.102): Approved on the consent calendar, 6–0 (Tecky/Scott/Leung/Yee/Benedicto/Clay).
• Commissioner Tecky acknowledged Paul Allen for significant help with the statement’s initial drafting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Line Item 1 (Officer recognition): No public comment.
• General public comment:
  • Daniel Reed stated he received death threats after previously speaking at the Commission (referencing a prior comment on Nov. 5 about a list of “100 high profile individuals” allegedly murdered). He asked SFPD to provide a ranking captain or lieutenant to accompany him while making a report so it is “routed properly,” and asked Deputy Chief Jones whether she would support that request.
• Recruitment process (Line Item 7):
  • David Singh (SOMA resident) expressed the position that the City and Commission could help recruitment by more clearly communicating that San Francisco is proud of SFPD and that applicants can learn from “top professionals.”
• Staffing analysis (Line Item 8) (multiple SOMA/Southern Station community speakers):
  • Reese (SOMA West Neighborhood Association) stated the district-level analysis did not account for recent boundary/jurisdiction changes affecting Southern Station, and argued DMACC is not a substitute for station staffing or 911 response. (Also referenced an updated petition with 300 signatures.)
  • Jane Day (SOMA resident) expressed strong support for increased Southern Station staffing, stating crime occurs “on an hourly basis” on her block and that expanding Southern’s jurisdiction without increased resources is “unfathomable.”
  • Alice Rogers (South Beach Rincon Mission Bay Neighborhood Association) requested clarification of a reported discrepancy: the staffing report showed 118 sworn staff for Southern (as of November 2025), while Southern’s captain reportedly stated elsewhere Southern has 60–70 officers. Rogers also raised concern that the Mission Bay TIF fund (said to fund 20 officers near Chase Center) was reportedly discontinued and should be reflected.
  • Adam Hong (SOMA West Neighborhood Association) emphasized boundary changes were not reflected and stated private security (via the CBD) handles many incidents the community would prefer police handle.
  • Additional SOMA residents and representatives (including Nikhil, Dana Dekovna, Jasmine Gardner, and David Singer) urged more visible, proactive policing (including foot patrols), noted long waits for response (one example cited a three-hour wait), argued that underreporting occurs because reporting feels burdensome, and emphasized capacity concerns rather than officer quality. Singer also referenced conditions along the 6th Street corridor and asserted Southern lacks “housing/homeless experts,” urging staffing changes prior to a referenced “4446” project’s opening.
• EIS (Line Item 9): No public comment.

Discussion Items

Weekly Officer Recognition (Line Item 1)

• Officer Bernarda Chacon Gonzalez (Mission Station, star 1428) recognized for leading nightly enforcement operations at 16th & Mission, making 123 arrests, and for an arrest on Oct. 24, 2025 involving a felon in possession of a firearm (with her partner). Captain Sean Perdomo highlighted her community ties (grew up in the Mission District; immigrated from El Salvador at ~age 14), Spanish language skills, and an example where her Spanish interpretation helped apprehend a robbery suspect.
• Officer Paul Carr (Bayview Station, star 1530) recognized for community-focused work with unhoused residents, connecting people to services, and coordinating weekly with SFFD and the NRT team. Captain Bernadette Robinson noted Carr’s 10 years with SFPD, about 8 years at Bayview, and prior 5 years in a homeless-focused assignment before becoming a day-watch patrol officer.

Chief’s Report – Crime Trends & Notable Incidents (Line Item 4)

Deputy Chief Nicole Jones reported:

• Follow-up: A town hall on an officer-involved shooting was held Tuesday, Nov. 18; related materials including body-worn camera footage were posted on the department website.
• Crime trends (year-to-date 2025 vs. 2024):
  • Part I crimes: down 26%
  • Total violent crime: down 17%
  • Homicides: 24 in 2025 vs. 31 in 2024 (23% decrease)
  • Gun violence (injured + killed by firearm): down 12%
  • Reported rapes (including attempted): down 15%
  • Assaults: down 13%; assaults by firearm down 20%
  • Robberies: down 22%; robberies using a firearm down 44%
  • Human trafficking: up 100% (22 incidents vs. 11 last year)
  • Property crime: down 27%
  • Burglaries: down 28%
  • Larceny theft: down 22%
• Notable incidents:
  • Nov. 16 (just after midnight), 16th & Valencia: Double shooting following an altercation; one victim died; suspect contacted police and was taken into custody (investigation ongoing).
  • Shooters: no reported shootings that week (as stated in the report).
  • Nov. 15, Pier 43: Marine Unit/SFFD rescued an approximately 80-year-old woman found partially submerged about 50 yards offshore.
  • Arrest in a case involving alleged sexual assault of a minor (reported to have occurred years earlier) involving a teacher; SFUSD working closely with SFPD.
  • Nov. 16, 2700 block of Alemany: Fatal hit-and-run involving a vehicle colliding with a bicycle; 911 call received hours later.
• Commissioner questions:
  • Commissioner Tecky requested citywide reporting of narcotics arrests as a separate metric.
  • Commissioner Yee asked about dog-bite statistics after a prior caller referenced “over 900 dog bites”; Jones said SFPD can provide its own report-based statistics but they may not represent all incidents citywide.
  • President Clay asked whether the trafficking increase could reflect more reporting/cooperation; Jones said that is possible but cannot be verified “100%.”

DPA Director’s Report (Line Item 5)

Executive Director Paul Henderson reported:

• Annual report expected to be public within 24 hours; described as part of re-reporting improvements, with more precinct/neighborhood clarity and a new publication schedule.
• Caseload:
  • 11 new cases since the last Commission meeting; caseload 22% above last year.
  • Case closures: up 8% from last year; DPA stated it is closing cases faster than new cases arrive.
  • 100% compliance with 3304 deadlines.
  • As of Friday, Nov. 7, 12 cases over 270-day investigations; Henderson stated only one was not “a tolled case” and expected closure within the next week.
• Audits/policy work:
  • Use of force audit draft delivered to SFPD for formal review; response requested by Dec. 4.
  • DPA analyzing crowd control complaints to identify whether policies/practices create unnecessary tension, consistent with Charter 4.136H, and discussing DGO 8.10.
• Henderson noted receiving the UCLA Bruin Excellence in Civic Engagement public service award.

SFPD Recruitment & Hiring Process (Line Item 7)

Captain Shawn Frost (Staff Services Division) presented recruitment process updates and metrics:

• Recruitment efforts: doubled full-time recruiters; added a dedicated social media outreach member; outreach includes in-person events, podcasts, and digital marketing via Meta, Google, Indeed.
• Process overview (high level): application via DHR SmartRecruiter → written exam (waivable with bachelor’s degree) → physical ability test + oral interview (now same day) → backgrounds (SFPD) → conditional offer of employment (COE) → polygraph, medical, psychological.
• Process improvements:
  • Combined same-day physical + oral interview for speed; SFPD now sends oral boards to regional testing events.
  • Increased academy frequency to 5 classes per year, roughly every 8–10 weeks.
  • Backgrounds triage/prescreening (red/yellow/green) to reduce time spent on applicants unlikely to qualify.
• Metrics:
  • Applications: ~40% more than 2024; reported 3,645 entry-level applications (approx. three weeks old) with confidence SFPD will surpass 4,000 in 2025.
  • Conversion rate: approximately 1%–2% of applicants reach hiring.
  • Background “case study” example: an “ideal candidate” completed backgrounds in 8 weeks.
  • Background unit staffing: 11 full-time background investigators plus ~30 part-time retired officers (960 terms).
  • Academy attrition: stated as approximately 50%, though trends described as improving.
  • Laterals: example cited of 5 laterals sworn the prior Friday; laterals can be deployable in ~12 weeks (2-week orientation + 10-week modified field training).
  • A stated single-day application peak occurred Nov. 13 (highest single day of 2025), attributed in part to SFPD providing on-site oral interviews at a written+physical testing event.
• Net staffing: Frost stated SFPD is net positive for the first time in ~6 years, predicting at least +20 by end of 2025 (calendar year), “likely higher.”
• 30x30 (women recruits): Deputy Chief Jones stated SFPD continues to struggle to increase women representation beyond ~15% and is exploring targeted outreach (e.g., women-focused events). Frost cited a women-focused physical ability practice with 30 attendees.
• Commissioner and public themes:
  • Commissioners asked about response times from application to next steps; automated notification is “very quick” if minimum qualifications are met.
  • Commissioners discussed DHR coordination; Frost described frequent contact and a civil service list pilot to reduce lateral candidates being targeted by their home agencies.
  • Commissioner Scott emphasized outreach to youth/schools and early career pipelines; Frost cited PAL cadets (starting around age 13), sports leagues, and an upcoming City College athlete internship pipeline (starting summer 2026) and noted Crankstart funding for a City College pipeline.

2025 Staffing Analysis Report (Line Item 8)

Staffing Analytics Supervisor TJ Chow presented the 2025 updated Staffing Analysis Report (required every odd year after Proposition E (2020) and Commission-adopted methodologies):

• Methodologies: primarily workload-based (calls for service + time spent), plus ratio-based (e.g., 1 sergeant per 6 officers), fixed post, and non-scaling.
• Updated city staffing recommendations (excluding airport):
  • Sworn recommended: 2,257 (all ranks)
  • Civilian recommended: 671
  • Using June 2025 staffing levels, deficits reported: 692 sworn and 192 civilian (noted as point-in-time figures).
• Recommendation change: sworn recommendation increased by +138 compared to 2023, attributed to new/expanded needs such as DMACC, real-time center, “Arctic Center,” drone unit, and other services.
• Station-level deficit: field operations/district stations identified as the largest share of the staffing shortfall.
• Attrition trends: separations post-academy typically ~100–120 per year, with a noted spike in FY2022 attributed to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
• Civilianization opportunities: CSI and property/records identified as areas where more civilian funding could allow sworn reallocation.
• Commissioner discussion included the assumed allocation of officer time (including a cited 30% target for community engagement/proactive policing for patrol officers) and questions about addressing current shortfalls (Jones indicated current shortages are being managed largely through overtime/backfill, reducing capacity for proactive work).
• Public testimony raised discrepancies and boundary-change concerns (see Public Comments section), including claims that Southern’s district numbers were “off” due to recent jurisdiction changes.

Early Intervention System (EIS) Report – Q1 & Q2 2025 (Line Item 9)

Sergeant Daron Aval presented aggregate EIS data (non-punitive/non-disciplinary system intended to identify risks early):

• Indicators tracked include use of force, OIS, discharges, pursuits, collisions, tort claims/civil suits, DPA and EEO complaints.
• Indicator points:
  • Q1 2025: 555 indicator points
  • Q2 2025: 562 indicator points
  • Note: 0 vehicle pursuits in Q1 due to a technical issue; corrected in Q2.
• Stations with highest indicator points:
  • Q1: Tenderloin (104); Central (83)
  • Q2: Tenderloin (146); Southern (85)
• Alerts:
  • Q1: 149 members generated 198 alerts
  • Q2: 147 members generated 206 alerts
• Interventions: No new interventions in Q1 or Q2; Aval clarified that station-level performance improvement plans (PIPs) may be active but are handled locally.
• Commission discussion focused on the challenge of measuring EIS effectiveness (preventing events is hard to quantify), potential adjustments to indicators/thresholds, and the importance of communicating how alerts translate into supervisory action.
• Vendor/technology: SFPD indicated it plans to move away from Benchmark eventually but will not discontinue the system until a replacement is in place; leadership referenced contract negotiations with Axon for a new records management system that may provide an EIS solution.

Policy Adoption: DGO 6.16 Sexual Assaults (Line Item 10)

• Commission adopted revised Department General Order 6.16 (Sexual Assaults) with a 45 business-day implementation timeframe.
• Context provided on the record: the DGO was approved to go to meet-and-confer on Oct. 8, and meet-and-confer concluded Nov. 3.
• Vote: Approved 6–0.

Closed Session Votes (Lines 11–14)

• No public comment offered on closed-session items.
• Vote to hold Item 13 in closed session (Gov. Code 54957(b); SF Admin Code 67.10(b) & (d)): approved 6–0.
• After closed session, vote regarding disclosure (SF Admin Code 67.12(a) & (b)): approved 6–0, with an amendment referenced by Vice President Benedicto to disclose non-privileged factual information (as characterized during the vote).

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Police Commission Statement of Purpose (Charter 4.102) on consent calendar: 6–0.
• Received detailed public safety updates showing year-to-date declines in many crime categories (e.g., Part I crimes down 26%, homicides down 23%), alongside an increase in reported human trafficking incidents (up 100%, 22 vs. 11).
• Directed/Requested (discussion-level): Commissioners requested additional reporting clarity, including citywide narcotics arrest metrics and SFPD-reported dog-bite statistics.
• Reviewed recruitment pipeline updates: applications trending toward 4,000+ in 2025; academy cadence increased to 5 per year; conversion estimated 1%–2%; academy attrition discussed at ~50% with ongoing mitigation efforts.
• Reviewed 2025 Staffing Analysis: updated recommended staffing of 2,257 sworn and 671 civilian (city, excluding airport), with a point-in-time (June 2025) deficit of 692 sworn and 192 civilian.
• Heard substantial SOMA/Southern Station testimony urging corrected staffing counts, accounting for boundary changes, and increased station resources; multiple speakers argued DMACC is not a substitute for district staffing.
• Adopted revised DGO 6.16 Sexual Assaults with 45 business-day implementation: 6–0.
• Approved closed session and subsequent disclosure vote parameters: both 6–0.