Board reappoints Dirk Bayen to Juvenile Probation Commission after debate over commission's inaction on youth policy

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on April 6 approved the reappointment of Dirk Bayen to the Juvenile Probation Commission after a period of debate over whether the commission had failed to act on policy changes with implications for undocumented youth.

Supervisor David Campos detailed the concern during the rules‑committee report, saying the Juvenile Probation Commission had not taken action after a mayoral policy change that the commission historically had overseen. Campos said one policy factor — language that suggested a juvenile probation officer might consider whether a detained youth was in an area "frequented by undocumented people" when deciding whether to report to immigration — could, if enforced literally, create a risk of racial profiling.

Campos said that his objection was less to the individual nominee than to the broader inaction of the commission. He told colleagues he ultimately supported Bayen’s reappointment because of Bayen’s long record of work with young people. Supporters cited the commissioner’s experience, endorsements and community…