Board approves expansion of SFPD real‑time investigation center and large private gifts despite privacy objections

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on July 29 approved measures allowing the Police Department to accept private donations and to waive competitive bidding for equipment and services to expand its Real Time Investigation Center (RTIC), despite objections from two supervisors who criticized the expansion as a civil‑liberties risk.

The board adopted two ordinances that waive competitive solicitation requirements for SFPD purchases tied to RTIC and approved two related resolutions authorizing in‑kind gifts of office space and technology. The votes recorded nine ayes and two noes; Supervisors Fielder and Walton voted no on the RTIC items.

Supporters said the donations and waivers speed delivery of technology the department needs. Supervisor Reza Mahmoud (motion sponsor not involved with these items) did not speak on the floor for these items; the measures proceeded on the consent calendar after a brief request to take them together.

Supervisor Matt Fielder, who spoke against the RTIC items before the roll call, said he would vote no. "While public safety is a priority that I share, we need to also consider the long term implications that come with expanding surveillance infrastructure," Fielder said. He pointed to past incidents in which the department had shared automatic license plate reader data with out‑of‑state law enforcement and warned that expanded surveillance funded privately, and adopted through procurement waivers, could undermine the city's sanctuary policies and immigrant residents' civil liberties.

The board approved two ordinances (items 27 and 28) that waive competitive solicitation under Chapters 14B and 21 of the administrative code for SFPD equipment and services, and two resolutions (items 29 and 30) authorizing in‑kind gifts. The resolutions retroactively authorized acceptance of office space from Ripple Labs Inc. valued at $2,100,000 through Dec. 31, 2026 (item 29) and approximately $7.2 million in equipment, services and funds for fiber service, docks and drones, data‑integration software, employee parking and related items, with an authorization for the Police Community Foundation to donate future support for RTIC (item 30).

Roll calls recorded that supervisors Fielder and Walton voted no on both the ordinance and resolution votes; the measures passed 9–2. The clerk announced: "There are 9 ayes and 2 nos with supervisors Fielder and Walton voting no. The ordinances are finally passed. The resolutions are adopted." (Clerk roll calls: items 27–30)

Supporters and the department say RTIC tools — including data integration software and real‑time monitoring capabilities — help criminal investigations. Opponents warned that accepting technology as gifts can create dependence on private vendors and reduce transparency about how surveillance tools are acquired and used. Fielder highlighted the need for stronger oversight and guardrails, and warned of chilling effects on immigrant communities if data is shared outside local controls.

The board did not amend the measures on the floor; they were carried on the consent calendar after Supervisor Fielder spoke his objections and the clerk called the roll.

What happens next: The ordinances and resolutions take effect as approved; the department will proceed with procurement and acceptance of the authorized in‑kind gifts, and the city will publish the related documents per existing transparency rules. Supervisors who opposed the measures signaled they would push for additional oversight and reporting in future committee work.

Note: This article reports actions taken at the July 29 meeting and quotes speakers verbatim where indicated. It does not infer changes in department practice beyond what was described on the record.