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Police commission keeps 'vicious and dangerous dog' unit intact, introduces new hearing officer
Summary
After community concern that the dog court might be disbanded, SFPD and Animal Care and Control confirmed the unit will continue, introduced Officer Sherry Hicks as the hearing officer, and pledged to produce a revised general order and expanded community outreach and training.
Captain Barrett and Director Katz presented to the commission a plan to modernize the Vicious and Dangerous Dog Unit following the retirement of Sergeant Herndon. They said the unit will continue and emphasized adding educational components to academy training, improved outreach through community advisory boards, and better coordination with officers in patrol to reduce shootings and improve officer safety.
Director Katz and Captain Barrett introduced Officer Sherry Hicks as the new hearing officer and said she is a POST-certified academy instructor who will handle hearings while investigations remain separate. Community representatives, including Sally Stevens of the San Francisco Dog Owners Group, praised the decision to keep the unit intact and urged a formalized general order (DGO) to codify long-standing practices such as early intervention, training, and using remedies short of euthanasia where appropriate.
Commissioners asked when a proposed DGO would be ready; Captain Barrett and Director Katz said a draft exists and will be reviewed by Director Katz and then routed through department written-directives processes for commission consideration. Commissioners and community members emphasized the unit's role in early intervention and public trust and asked for continued emphasis on education and consistent decision-making. The commission thanked the staff and community for working together to resolve confusion and preserve the unit.
