Police Commission delays assistant patrol special hires, seeks full background packets

The San Francisco Police Commission on Aug. 22 paused consideration of several assistant patrol special hires, saying commissioners must review full background packets before approving appointments.

Commission leadership asked that agenda items 4–6 be taken off calendar because not all prospective assistant patrol specials had signed waivers allowing the commission to see their complete background files. "This commission is the sole appointing authority for assistant Patrol specials," the Commission President said, urging colleagues to postpone action until the department provided complete documentation and any required waivers.

The city attorney confirmed the clarification requested by the commission. Commissioners raised no formal objections to the pause and they agreed to remove the items from tonight's calendar until the paperwork is in order.

The Commission flagged two practical concerns: assistant patrol specials wear uniforms closely resembling SFPD uniforms and, because an outside investigator conducts parts of background checks, the commission said it needs access to the whole background packet before confirming appointments. The Commission President said it would be negligent to approve appointments without the full materials.

The commission did not take a final vote on any hire tonight; the items will return to the agenda only after staff confirms full packets are available to commissioners. The action preserves commissioners' discretion over appointments while the department works to obtain signed waivers or otherwise make background records available for review.