San Francisco Police Commission approves chief recruitment brochure, launches search

The San Francisco Police Commission on an evening vote approved a recruitment brochure prepared by Ralph Anderson and Associates and authorized the search for a new police chief, with the commission voting 6-0 to adopt the brochure as amended.

The approval, which commissioners said allows the firm to begin outreach immediately, sets an application deadline of Monday, Sept. 8, and schedules community meetings, an electronic survey and additional outreach meant to inform the commission’s finalist recommendations to Mayor Lurie.

Heather Rentschler, a principal with Ralph Anderson and Associates, told the commission the firm "would like to launch the search beginning tomorrow" and outlined a timetable that includes resume binders delivered to the commission office by Sept. 22, a review period through Oct. 8, in‑person interviews tentatively held Oct. 14, Oct. 16 and Oct. 17, and a planned commission meeting to forward finalists to the mayor on Nov. 12, 2025.

The brochure was amended with language suggested by the city attorney and read into the record by Vice President Benedicto. The revised language states that "the mayor appoints the chief of police from a list of candidates nominated by the city's 7 member police commission," clarifies that "applications are confidential and will be handled accordingly throughout the various stages of the process," and sets the commission’s target to "select and forward the finalist candidates to Mayor…