Board of Supervisors approves mayor’s request to remove police commissioner Max Carter Oberstone after hours-long hearing

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 9–2 on Feb. 25 to consent to Mayor Daniel Lurie’s request to remove Police Commissioner Max Carter Oberstone, concluding a nearly five-hour public hearing that drew sustained public comment and sharp divisions among supervisors.

The vote came after Commissioner Max Carter Oberstone used his allotted time to defend his record and independence, arguing he repeatedly pressed the San Francisco Police Department and city officials for accountability. "When SFPD engaged in unlawful and unlawful conduct, I asked the hard questions that needed to be asked," Oberstone told the board.

Why it matters: The removal pits the mayor’s authority to replace a mayoral appointee against activists’ and community groups’ demand for independent civilian oversight of the police. Supporters of Oberstone described him as a reformer who advanced limits on pretextual traffic stops and pushed for data-driven oversight; opponents argued the mayor has the prerogative to select commissioners who align with his agenda.

Board debate and votes: Supervisor Matt Dorsey, who moved the motion, framed the matter as an exercise of charter authority: "Mayor Lurie has earned, by virtue of his election, the right to make an appointment of his choosing," Dorsey said. The motion to consent to the removal passed 9–2; Supervisors Myrna Melgar and Jackie Fielder voted no.

Public comment: Hundreds of residents and organizational representatives addressed the board. Supporters of Oberstone included civil-rights and public-safety organizations — among them the ACLU of Northern California and the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office — and family members of people killed in high-profile police encounters who said independent oversight helps prevent future harm. Yoel Haile, director of the criminal justice team at the ACLU of Northern California, urged supervisors to reject removal and asked, "Why does Mayor Lurie want to take this virtually unprecedented step?"

Opponents of Oberstone’s retention argued that the mayor is entitled to commissioners who will collaborate with his office. Several speakers said the change was a routine exercise of the mayor’s appointment power and compared it to the normal give-and-take when administrations change.

What the commissioner said: Oberstone, who was appointed in 2022, emphasized independence from both elected officials and the department. "My first and only obligation is to the people of San Francisco, not to any politician or political cause," he said. He recounted investigations and votes he led aimed at stronger limits on racialized policing practices and department procurement.

Next steps and context: The removal takes effect immediately following board approval. The action revives debate about how to balance mayoral authority with independent oversight: charter section 4.109 requires board consent for mayoral removals of police commissioners. Supervisors and advocates said the result will shape hiring and oversight dynamics should the city begin a search for a new police chief.

Sources and evidence: The account above is drawn from the Feb. 25 board hearing, including the commissioner’s opening remarks and roll-call vote.