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San Francisco Police Commission welcomes newly sworn-in chief, touts community policing
Summary
Commissioners welcomed newly sworn-in Chief Greg Sir on April 27, praising his community-policing background and saying they expect steady departmental leadership after a thorough selection process; chief pledged to ‘‘do everything in my power’’ not to let the commission down.
The San Francisco Police Commission formally welcomed the city’s newly sworn-in police chief, Greg Sir, at its April 27 meeting, with commissioners and several public speakers praising his community policing record and urging steady leadership.
Commission President Thomas Mazuko described the selection as the conclusion of a thorough process that began with 77 applicants and multiple rounds of interviews. "You were the definition of community policing," Mazuko said, noting Sir’s work mentoring youth and volunteering with neighborhood organizations. Several commissioners repeated that rank-and-file officers called Sir “a cop’s cop,” and said they saw him as a leader the department would follow.
Chief Sir, who addressed the commission after introductions, thanked the panel and the community and pledged to meet expectations. "I will absolutely do everything in my power every minute of every day not to let you down," he told commissioners.
Members of the public also spoke during the general comment period. Lee Militello, president of the San Francisco Police Officers Pride Alliance, congratulated the chief and defended Officer Michael Evans, who he said had been unfairly portrayed in media coverage stemming from a recent commission discussion. Amili Harrison, a family member of a murder victim, urged detectives to continue contact with victims’ families and said she would follow the case until she saw forward motion.
The swearing-in and endorsements follow a selection process the commission characterized as deliberative: finalists were interviewed multiple times and narrowed to three names sent to the mayor. Commissioners said the mayor then interviewed finalists and selected the chief. Several commissioners said Sir’s long service in the department and ties to neighborhoods, including mentoring programs in the Mission and Bayview, weighed heavily in their support.
The commission moved on after the ceremonial remarks to regular business, including a multi-agency report and public comment. The chief’s appointment and his pledge of steady leadership mark the start of a tenure commissioners said they hope will bring continuity after recent transitions.
