Board sends sheriff's military equipment report back to rules committee after pepperball concerns

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Feb. 11 voted unanimously to send the Sheriff's Office 2024 military equipment use policy, its annual report and inventory back to the rules committee for amendments focused on acquisition and use criteria.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin (recorded in the transcript as Supervisor Chen) made the motion to refer Item 24 back to rules and said he had worked with Sheriff’s Office staff on amendments related to pepperball launchers, including usage guidelines from the product manufacturer manual. Supervisor Shamann Walton seconded the motion and raised safety concerns, citing reported chemical impacts from testing and training near a San Mateo County school.

Why it matters: The item governs what equipment the Sheriff’s Office may purchase and use under state law and the city’s own oversight process. Supervisors and members of the public expressed concern about non‑lethal munitions, training impacts on nearby communities and ongoing investigations into harms from chemical agents.

What the board did The motion to refer Item 24 to the rules committee passed on a roll call with 11 ayes. Chief John Ramirez of the Sheriff’s Office addressed the board and said the office had no objection to rules taking another look at the policy. The chair called the roll and the motion was approved without amendment at the full board; any policy changes will be considered in the rules committee.

Key concerns discussed Supervisor Peskin (Chen) described four amendments he is working on that would mirror manufacturer usage guidance for PPIRS (pepperball) launchers: avoid pointing the launcher at anything not intended to stop, recognize that increased projectile velocity raises the risk of death or injury, avoid firing at personal property, and keep pepperballs and launchers out of reach of children.

Supervisor Walton said there have already been negative impacts from chemical weapons used by the department and referenced ongoing investigations and reported effects on children near training sites. Supervisor Jackie Fielder also voiced concerns about deployment, inventory and timing given the city's budget deficit.

What happens next Rules committee staff will take up the item for amendment and further analysis. The Sheriff’s Office indicated it would cooperate with the committee’s review.

Provenance: key transcript excerpts Item 24 was introduced at 1665.53. Supervisor Peskin (Chen) moved to refer the item at 1688.675–1719.535; Supervisor Walton spoke in support at 1753.46–1796.845. Chief John Ramirez addressed the board at 1865.12–1867.92; the roll call on the referral ran at 1885.3049–1916.2849.