Budget and Finance Committee forwards Police Commission statement of purpose to full board

The Budget and Finance Committee on March 26 voted to forward to the full Board of Supervisors a resolution approving a statement of purpose for the San Francisco Police Commission.

The statement, presented by Police Commission President Cindy Elias, lists eight goals and principles intended to guide how the commission drafts and approves Department General Orders (DGOs), the policy manuals the police department uses. Elias said a resident, Paul Allen, helped draft the statement and that it is intended to “highlight and articulate what it is that we do on the police commission.”

The statement emphasizes evidence‑based best practices, broader stakeholder engagement, public transparency of both the police department and the commission, and consideration of costs when adopting DGOs. Elias told the committee the commission has moved toward soliciting input from a wide range of stakeholders—including rank‑and‑file officers and community members—so policies will be practical and resilient to criticism.

Vice Chair Supervisor Matt Dorsey and other supervisors praised the work and urged the commission to incorporate staffing planning into future efforts. Elias said the commission previously commissioned a staffing study but that it did not analyze leadership and management roles in the department; she said a follow‑up study that includes leadership would give a fuller picture and help recruitment efforts.

Paul Allen, a longtime resident who said he helped draft the statement, urged inclusion of item 1 of the statement (enhancing public safety and quality of life), transparency, and a policy of weighing costs along with benefits when adopting DGOs.

The committee vote to forward the resolution to the full board was taken by roll call: Vice Chair Dorsey, Member Engadio, and Chair Connie Chan voted aye. The motion passed.