San Francisco Police Commission Meeting (Early 2026)

The San Francisco Police Commission convened in early 2026 (exact date/time not stated in the transcript) with President Clay presiding. Roll was taken with six commissioners initially present (Tecky, Scott, Leung, Yee, Benedicto, Clay) and Commissioner Elias arriving later. Chief Derek Liu (SFPD) and Executive Director Paul Henderson (Department of Police Accountability, DPA) delivered major reports, including citywide year-end 2025 crime statistics and DPA case-processing metrics. The Commission approved routine consent items, adopted prior meeting minutes (Nov. 2025), voted to rescind 11 Department General Orders (DGOs), and took actions related to a closed session item, including a vote not to disclose details beyond non-privileged information to be reflected in minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A mother of an unsolved homicide victim asked for updates on her son’s case, requested confirmation of her assigned investigator (including whether it remained “Scott Warrinke”), urged attention to unsolved homicide cases, and asked Chief Liu to ensure digital homicide-related displays/cameras at all 10 district stations were operating. She also referenced news about the Mayor’s intention to hire personnel focused on unsolved homicides and asked that her son’s case be included.
• A second speaker, identifying her son as Aubrey Abricasa (murdered August 14, 2006), stated the case remains unsolved and displayed photos to convey the impact on families. She named individuals she identified as perpetrators and urged anyone with information to call the anonymous tip line at 415-575-4444. She stated the upcoming year would mark “20 years, two decades” without justice.
• During Commission Reports public comment, a speaker congratulated officers recognized at the Medal of Valor event and reiterated concern that unsolved homicides still require attention. The speaker again asked about her homicide investigator assignment and requested verification that the digital displays/cameras at the 10 district stations were functioning.

Consent Calendar

• Approved (receive and file) with a 6-0 vote (Tecky, Scott, Leung, Yee, Benedicto, Clay):
  • Police Commission Report of Disciplinary Actions, Fourth Quarter 2025
  • Police Commission Annual Report 2025
  • Third Quarter 2025 Audit of Electronic Communication Devices for Bias
  • In-kind donation from Michael Siebel for recruitment purposes valued at $500,000
  • Civic Bridge agreements with Scott Chong and George Parker Toms, plus extension of an existing agreement with Jonathan Hills, valued at a total of $283,360.60
  • SFPD and DPA SB 1421 and SB 16 monthly reports for November 2025

Discussion Items

• Adoption of Minutes (Nov. 5, 12, and 19, 2025)

  • Approved 6-0 (Tecky, Scott, Leung, Yee, Benedicto, Clay).

• Chief’s Report (Chief Derek Liu) – Year-End 2025 Crime and Activity Trends

  • Chief Liu reported overall crime was down “in every meaningful category,” citing:
    • 25% decrease in overall crime for 2025
    • 18% decrease in violent crime
    • 27% decrease in property crime
  • Homicides:
    • 28 homicides in 2025 (20% decrease from 2024’s 35)
    • Reported as the lowest since 1954 (27 homicides)
    • 125% clearance rate, with 34 homicides cleared (by arrest or other means), described as more cases solved than occurred
  • Gun violence and violent crime details:
    • 14% decrease in gun-violence victims
    • Robberies down 24%, including a 45% decrease in robberies with a firearm
    • Assaults down 12%, with assaults involving a firearm down 19%
    • Rapes down 17%
    • Human trafficking up 18%: 24 incidents in 2025 vs 13 in 2024; Chief Liu stated the increase in reports does not necessarily mean an increase in occurrence, attributing it to increased staffing and proactive operations (unit staffed to five full-time sworn members, not fully staffed since 2019, enabling at least two operations per month)
  • Property crime details:
    • Burglaries down 28%
    • Motor vehicle thefts down 44%
    • Arsons down 9%
    • Larceny down 22%, including retail theft and car break-ins
    • Car break-ins down 42%, with approximately 5,369 reported incidents (noted as subject to late reporting), described as the lowest since the current crime data warehouse began in 2011 (6,063 in 2011); for context, the city had 31,412 car break-ins in 2017
  • Enforcement and operational activity:
    • 1,017 firearms recovered
    • 6,683 arrests related to drug markets
    • Over 56 pounds of fentanyl seized
  • Staffing:
    • Department reported approximately 690 sworn staff below the recommended baseline and reliance on overtime
    • Chief stated 2025 was the first net positive increase in staffing since the pandemic
  • Weekly notable incidents:
    • Zero reported homicides in the week referenced
    • Two reported shootings:
      • Bayview: Dec. 30 at 6:00 p.m. near Toland Place and McKinnon; one victim, non-fatal; no arrest; active investigation
      • Ingleside: Dec. 31 at 10:42 p.m. near Alemany and Ellsworth; crime scene located; two victims self-transported to SFGH; no arrest; active investigation
    • Notable arrest: carjacking on New Year’s Day at 6:40 p.m. near O’Farrell and Stockton; vehicle later found near Sunnydale and Hahn; ARTIC described as instrumental
  • Major events and planning:
    • Reported supporting 70+ major events in 2025 and referenced major First Amendment activities
    • Noted a Jan. 3 demonstration of approximately 100 people at Powell opposing federal action in Venezuela
    • Mentioned large demonstration “No Kings” drawing 75,000+ people
    • Upcoming event dates noted:
      • JPMorgan Healthcare Conference: Jan. 12–15
      • MLK Walk: Jan. 19
      • Walk for Life: Jan. 24
    • Chief stated planning continues for major 2026 events including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, FIFA games, Dreamforce, and others.
  • Commissioner Scott asked whether the 1,017 firearm recoveries were tied to individual incidents or larger gun trafficking operations. Chief Liu answered that recoveries span many incident types and can include multiple guns in some cases, and stated that gun trafficking initiatives would be among activities a gun unit participates in, though he did not cite specific cases.

• DPA Director’s Report (Executive Director Paul Henderson)

  • Since the last Commission meeting:
    • 87 cases opened and 99 cases closed
    • Most common allegation: officer failure to take a required action (noted as allegations, not sustained findings)
    • 13 investigations over 270 days, all described as “tolling” cases
    • Stated DPA remained 100% in compliance with 3304 timelines
    • 75 sustained DPA cases pending with SFPD
    • Two cases pending with the Commission
  • Reported an audit identifying opportunities to strengthen use-of-force oversight, with presentation scheduled to the Commission on February 4.
  • Noted a major case to be heard on February 6 and thanked commissioners for scheduling work during holidays.
  • Quarterly reports:
    • Reported all quarterly reports filed with no delays
    • Updated format aligned with the Mayor’s reporting guidelines and digital accessibility/inclusion standards
    • Reports now available in 13 languages and described as ADA compliant, ahead of an April 2026 federal accessibility deadline
    • Reported new analytics showing trends, including:
      • Complaint volume up 40% year over year in 2025
      • Average DPA case processing time: 94 days
      • Digital engagement up 45% over the past nine months
  • Noted DPA staff attended an SFPD tabletop exercise on containment tactics for armed suspects.
  • Provided public contact information: sfgov.org/DPA and 415-241-7711.

• Commission Reports (President Clay and Commissioners)

  • President Clay reported ongoing work to review and update DGOs, including a set of DGOs (some dating back to the 1990s) provided by the department for review.
  • President Clay stated there were no discipline cases pending in the Commission’s office.
  • President Clay disclosed (as charter-required) the closed session roll call vote from Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 regarding forwarding Chief Derek Liu’s name to Mayor Lurie:
    • Yes: President Clay, Commissioner Yee, Commissioner Leung, Commissioner Tecky
    • No: Vice President Benedicto, Commissioner Elias, Commissioner Scott
  • Commissioner Yee reported:
    • Medal of Valor Awards held Dec. 3
    • Mayor’s announcement/press release of Chief Liu on Dec. 4
    • Recruit class “286” graduation on Dec. 16, described as “over 30 some” graduating recruits and characterized as the largest in several years
  • Vice President Benedicto echoed praise for Medal of Valor recipients, welcomed Chief Liu, and noted Chief Liu named Nicole Jones as Assistant Chief (and stated she was present).
  • Commissioner Scott thanked officers supporting the annual gun buyback with Rudy Corpus/United Players/Brady and others, stating over 274 assault weapons and additional handguns were recovered, and highlighted community requests for safe firearm removal from homes.

Department General Orders (DGOs) Rescinded

• SFPD Policy Development Division Manager Aja Steves presented a proposed annual batch of DGOs to rescind. She stated the 11 DGOs (nine dating from the 1990s) were recommended for rescission because their content is captured elsewhere, SFPD no longer performs the work, the topic is no longer within SFPD purview, or it is covered by a bargaining unit MOU. She stated DPA reviewed the list and had no objections.
• DGOs approved for rescission:
  • 3.15 Personal Property Claims
  • 4.102 Accepting Bail
  • 5.12 Search Warrants Related to Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehabilitation
  • 6.01 Crime Scene Log
  • 6.117 Taxi Cab Regulations (noted as a correction)
  • 10.04 800 MHz Portable Radios
  • 10.05 Weapons and Protective Equipment Inspection
  • 10.07 Use of Cellular Telephones
  • 11.01 Personnel Compensation
  • 11.03 Jury Duty
  • 11.05 Qualifications for Specific Units

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved: 6-0.
• Minutes (Nov. 5/12/19, 2025) adopted: 6-0.
• DGOs rescinded (11 orders): approved 7-0 (Tecky, Scott, Leung, Yee, Elias, Benedicto, Clay).
• Vote to hold Item 10 in closed session (Gov. Code 54957(b) / SF Admin Code 67.10(b)): 7-0.
• Post-closed-session disclosure action: motion approved 7-0 to not disclose discussion details, except non-privileged details to be provided in the minutes regarding item 10B.
• Closed-session historical vote disclosed (Nov. 19, 2025) on forwarding Derek Liu’s name to the Mayor: 4 yes / 3 no as listed above.
• Meeting adjourned after the disclosure vote (no further substantive items recorded in the transcript beyond adjournment).