Board reappoints Police Commission president after split vote over process and timing

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 7-4 on January 10 to reappoint Cindy Elias to the Police Commission, concluding a heated debate over whether the board should delay the confirmation to allow newly seated supervisors time to consider applicants.

Supervisor and Gardio moved to send the reappointment back to committee for further consideration; Supervisor Mark Dorsey seconded the motion. Supporters of the delay said the appointment is not due until April and that a short postponement would allow newly elected supervisors to fully vet candidates and give the public an additional opportunity to apply. Opponents argued that the Rules Committee had already conducted a lengthy vetting process and that Elias’s record merited reappointment.

The reappointment drew sustained discussion from a broad cross-section of supervisors. Supervisor Engadio, who moved the referral, said, “This appointment is not due until April. So I don't understand why we have to vote on it now.” He urged a fuller process to allow more community members to consider applying. Supervisor Engadio’s motion to send the matter back to committee failed on a 4-7 vote.

After public discussion and presentations from several supervisors who described the Rules Committee’s prior review, the board voted on the reappointment. Commissioner Cindy Elias addressed the board before the vote, describing her work on the commission and the outreach she implemented. Elias said the commission has become “a national model,” and discussed steps she had taken to increase transparency, including posting policies for public review under the DGO 3.01 process.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin, chair of the Rules Committee, and others defended the reappointment and the Rules Committee process. They described lengthy interviews and a standardized review of applicants, and said that Elias’s performance — including managing disciplinary matters and advancing Department of Justice recommendations — justified early reappointment in order to preserve stability for the commission.

Supervisor Shamann Walton, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and others described the political sensitivity of the commission and the importance of ensuring a balanced and experienced panel, but did not support the delay. Supervisor Matt Dorsey said his “no” vote reflected policy disagreements on priorities such as bi-bust arrests and public-safety strategy rather than Elias’s competence.

On the final roll call, the motion to reappoint passed 7-4, with Supervisors Dorsey, Engadio, Mandelmann, and Stephanie recorded as voting no. The board’s action reaffirmed Elias’s continuation as Police Commission president.

The reappointment concludes a multiweek process that began in committee; several supervisors said they met with Elias in the days before the board vote. The commission oversees disciplinary and policy matters for the San Francisco Police Department and plays a central role in implementing police reform recommendations.

Votes and next steps The board’s reappointment is effective immediately and does not require additional action by the mayor. No further committee referral was ordered.

Speakers quoted and present at the discussion included supervisors who spoke on the record, and Commissioner Cindy Elias who addressed the board directly.