San Francisco police chief outlines progress on DOJ recommendations as public and supervisors demand faster action

San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors convened as a Committee of the Whole on March 7 to receive updates from the San Francisco Police Department on the implementation of recommendations from the Department of Justice collaborative reform effort, the Blue Ribbon Panel on Transparency, Accountability and Fairness in Law Enforcement, and related reviews.

The meeting, led by Supervisor Malia Cohen, featured a presentation by Chief William Scott who said the department has reorganized personnel, created a community engagement division and moved to implement many of the reports’ recommendations. "These reforms are about delivery of service and how we police this city, and to police this city in a fair and constitutional manner," Chief Scott said, outlining a set of steps intended to institutionalize change.

Why it matters: The DOJ and local reviews identified systemic problems — particularly in data collection, oversight, officer training and use-of-force policy — following years of high-profile fatal encounters and community concern. Supervisors and dozens of public speakers pressed the department for faster timelines, clearer accountability and public reports that measure progress.

Key details and department priorities

Chief Scott and command staff told the board that the department is…