Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Outreach topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
SFPD's 'It Gets Better' video draws national attention; department highlights officers' stories
Summary
The San Francisco Police Department showed a department-produced 'It Gets Better' video featuring about two dozen employees and reported more than 125,000 YouTube views in five days; participants and commissioners said the film advances outreach to LGBT youth and breaks stereotypes about who can serve as an officer.
The San Francisco Police Department presented its department-produced "It Gets Better" video during the Feb. 15 Police Commission meeting, showcasing officers’ personal stories and drawing wide online attention.
Officer Alvia Esparza, a public information officer who coordinated release metrics, said the video had 125,390 YouTube views, 16,672 likes and 231 comments after five days online, and noted that the department’s Facebook posting had additional engagement. She read several posted responses praising the video and said other police departments and local education officials had contacted SFPD seeking guidance on producing similar materials.
The department credited local filmmaker Sean Northcutt with donating time and creative work to the project; Sergeant and other presenters said Northcutt produced and edited the video and contributed to the musical score. "He donated all of his time, his creativity, his passion to producing the film," one presenter said.
Speakers in the video — ranging from 911 dispatchers to the chief — described experiences of bullying and coming out, and framed the video as an anti-bullying message and an assurance to youth that "it gets better." Commissioners praised the production and said the video crossed political lines and resonated broadly: "People who normally might not like police officers... Facebooked this and said they loved the video," Commissioner Chan said.
The commission recognized participants and discussed presenting commendations to contributors in a future meeting.
