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Police commission opens chief search, sets short timetable and public outreach plan
Summary
The commission launched a new process to identify nominees for mayoral appointment to police chief: it authorized a commissioner-led posting with DHR, set an application window (14 days from posting) and set an aspirational deadline to submit up to three names to Mayor Lee by March 15, 2011 while holding targeted community forums.
The Police Commission formally opened the process to select nominees for San Francisco's next police chief on Jan. 19, 2011, reviewing the search profile and process used in the previous selection and agreeing on an expedited timeline that blends community outreach with confidentiality protections for applicants.
Commission President Thomas Mazuko reviewed the prior effort (32 community meetings, use of a search firm and PERF) and urged a balance between speed and thoroughness. Commissioners debated whether to rely on the prior vetted candidate list or to accept new applications and decided on a hybrid approach: use existing materials where useful but invite applications and targeted community input.
The commission empowered a point person (Commissioner Angela Chan agreed to coordinate with department human resources) and proposed that the commission post the job announcement soon, accept applications for 14 days after posting, and aim to forward up to three nominees to Mayor Gavin Newsom (Mayor Lee in the transcript) by March 15, 2011. Commissioners stressed preselecting several community forums across neighborhoods, soliciting input from rank-and-file officers and command staff, and ensuring transparency about selection criteria.
Legal counsel and department HR clarified procedural notice requirements for meetings (72 hours for City Hall meetings; 15 days if held off-site). The commission noted Prop H requirements governing submission of nominee names to the mayor and said it would return next week with a finalized posting for approval.
The commission voted to adopt this timeline and to begin accepting applications immediately, instructing applicants to forward resumes and cover letters to the Police Commission office 'care of Lieutenant Falvey.' The commission asked staff to report back with a finalized posting and a plan for three neighborhood meetings to gather public input during the application window.
