Board approves first-reading change to let police chief appoint some non‑civil‑service ranks above captain

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday passed on first reading an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to authorize the chief of police to appoint individuals to any non‑civil‑service rank above captain, pursuant to specified qualifications.

Supervisor Campos, who introduced the legislation, said the measure is intended to give the chief flexibility to assemble a leadership team accountable to the chief. “To the extent that the buck stops with him, I think that we need to give him and whoever the chief of police is the tools to put together a team that makes sense for him or her,” Campos said.

The ordinance was amended at the request of the chief and by negotiation with stakeholders to place a limit on the number of outside hires into those ranks; during floor discussion supervisors said the limit in the amended version stands at one. Several supervisors said they supported the amended compromise while expressing concern for rank‑and‑file officers’ career prospects. “The last thing in the world I would want to do is send a message to the rank and file that in any way dissuaded them that there is not a future in professional advancement within our own police,” Supervisor Ellsberg said, while adding he would support the measure to give the chief needed flexibility.

The ordinance passed the board on first reading without roll call objection; supervisors said they expect the item to return for a second reading.