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 Lurie no later than the regularly scheduled commission meeting on 11/12/2025." Vice President Benedicto read those changes during the discussion.

Commissioners and the search firm described a multi-track outreach plan. The firm said the public process will include eight in-person community meetings, an online survey available in six languages, hard-copy surveys collected and manually entered for attendees who lack internet access, mailed submissions, and direct outreach to stakeholder organizations. Rentschler said some meeting rooms are limited (most sites hold roughly 30–40 people, with at least one site near 50) and that the electronic survey and mailed comments are intended to capture broader input. She also said the survey window will be open through roughly Sept. 15 for public input, while the formal job application deadline is Sept. 8.

Rentschler listed outreach channels the firm will use, including the Northern California Asian Peace Officers Association, California POST, California Police Chiefs Association, International Association of Women Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, Police Executive Research Forum and the Major Cities Chiefs Association. She said the advertising does not limit local or internal candidates from applying.

Commissioners asked how the firm would publicize meetings, whether translations and interpreters would be provided, and how the firm would reach department command staff and rank-and-file officers. Chief Daniel Hahn, present with Rentschler, said he had already met with the union and solicited input through that channel. The search team said it will work with the city's communications office and that commissioners themselves can serve as outreach ambassadors to amplify notice to local groups and neighborhoods.

President Clay called for a motion to approve the brochure "as presented by Ralph Anderson and Associates and as amended here tonight." The commission recorded the vote as follows: Commissioner Teke — yes; Commissioner Leung — yes; Commissioner Yee — yes; Commissioner Elias — yes; Vice President Benedicto — yes; President Clay — yes. The motion passed with six yes votes. Commissioner Scott was noted as en route earlier and did not vote in the roll call recorded on the motion.

The commission and search firm emphasized confidentiality for candidate materials; the firm said candidate identities and submitted materials will be handled in closed session when required by law and commission rules, while public summaries of survey and meeting feedback will be presented in open session. The firm also said it will deliver resume binders to the commission office for secure keeping and that portions of applicant discussion will occur in closed session to protect candidate privacy.

Commissioners asked the firm to make changes to timing language in the brochure to reflect scheduling constraints; the firm agreed to incorporate the edits and to post the final brochure and launch outreach the next day. The commission also encouraged commissioners to attend at least one community meeting and to assist with outreach to groups that may be underrepresented in the scheduled sites.

The meeting included questions about capacity and geographic coverage for the eight meetings; several commissioners asked the firm and staff to prioritize additional outreach to West Side neighborhoods identified by commissioners as needing greater in-person outreach. The search firm said it would work with the commission staff and city communications team to adjust outreach where possible and to accept mailed or hand-delivered survey responses for communities with limited internet access.

What happens next: with the brochure approved, Ralph Anderson and Associates will begin advertising and soliciting applications, the search team will coordinate eight community meetings and collect survey responses, resume binders will be delivered to the commission office by Sept. 22, and the commission expects to review materials and hold interviews in October before forwarding finalists to Mayor Lurie by Nov. 12, 2025.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve the recruitment brochure as presented by Ralph Anderson and Associates and as amended — approved, 6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.