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Police CFO warns of staffing decline and possible sworn layoffs under interim budget cuts
Summary
SFPD's CFO told the commission that under the mayor's proposed budget and an interim $42 million shortfall, staffing could fall to about 1,900 full-duty officers and layoffs of sworn personnel would be possible if cuts are not addressed; commissioners debated redeployment, retirements and use of retired officers to fill gaps.
Ken Bukowski, the police department's chief financial officer, briefed the commission on the next fiscal year's budget outlook and projected staffing. Bukowski said Mayor Newsom's budget submission funds only 30 new officer positions (largely laterals) and, absent additional grants or General Fund support, staff project a drop to about 1,900 full-duty officers by the end of next fiscal year, below the department's 1,971 target.
The CFO identified major drivers: rising fringe benefits and retirement costs (a projected $13 million increase), an $8 million Department of Technology work-order pass-through, and deletion of 47 civilian positions from the department's requested budget. He said general-fund overtime this fiscal year is projected at approximately $17.8 million (down from roughly $23 million last year) and that the department budgeted $13 million for overtime next year based on management strategies.
Commissioners discussed the Board of Supervisors' interim budget vote that would leave the city $42 million below current funding for the period between July 9 and the final budget, and raised the prospect of sworn layoffs if deep cuts remain. Bukowski and other staff said the department has already frozen positions and cut civilian hiring; they described limited flexibility without additional revenue and noted that full elimination of non-sworn costs would not meet the projected shortfall.
Commissioners urged the department and labor partners to press City Hall and the Board for alternatives and suggested short-term measures such as bringing retired officers back part time for specific duties to retain institutional knowledge while limiting full-time layoffs. The commission committed to advocate against sworn layoffs and asked for continued updates as the supervisor committee and full board consider final budget votes.
The chief also read a department letter to the Board about an unrelated item (a resolution concerning the 1971 murder of Sgt. John V. Young) urging the Board to allow the judicial process to proceed; commissioners expressed support for allowing the courts to determine outcomes.
