Board approves $86 million police overtime supplement after divided debate

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance on first reading on May 6 that reappropriates about $86.3 million within the Police Department budget for overtime and shifts other departmental savings, and moves $30 million to cover overtime in the Sheriff's Department. The measure passed 9–2 on a roll call vote, with Supervisors Fielder and Walton voting no.

Supporters said the action was necessary to avoid midyear disruptions to public safety operations and to ensure employees who have already worked overtime are paid. Supervisor Mandelmann, presiding, and several members said refusing the request would force the controller to freeze police budgets and delay or cancel department bills and non-salary projects.

Opponents pressed for stronger oversight and limits. Supervisor Walton and Supervisor Fielder criticized the Police Department's overtime practices, citing an audit and committee hearings that detailed procedural lapses, including alleged misuse of the 10(b) program that lets officers take private security jobs. Walton said giving repeated supplements would grant the department a “blank check.” Fielder said the department had been “messy” in its practices and urged additional accountability measures.

City Controller Greg Wagner told the board that payroll for hours already worked had been processed and that, late in the fiscal year, accumulated overtime could not realistically be fully offset by restricting other department spending. Wagner said a portion of the sheriff’s request required a draw from the city’s general fund reserve of about $5.7 million and would require replenishment under adopted financial policies.

Representatives from the Department of Human Resources said they had allowed more flexible enforcement of certain overtime-related provisions during the COVID emergency in 2021 but had no record of extending that latitude in the most recent fiscal year. Chief Lazar of the SFPD said the department had not reverted to pre-pandemic rules after discussions in 2021 and has continued the changed practice to maintain staffing and limit retail theft and other operational impacts.

The ordinance was approved on first reading after roll call: Supervisors Engadio, Mahmoud, Mandelmann, Melgar, Sauter, Sheryl, Chan, Chen and Dorsey voted yes; Supervisors Fielder and Walton voted no. The measure authorizes transfers and appropriations across salary and overtime lines as described to cover projected spending for the current fiscal year.

The vote resolved a short-term funding gap but several supervisors said they expect legislative follow-ups to add guardrails on overtime use, improve reporting and prioritize recruitment and staffing to reduce future overtime needs.