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San Francisco Police Commission defends recruitment, staffing and oversight plans amid budget cuts
Summary
At its July 2 meeting the Police Commission reviewed a department budget trimming roughly $7.3 million, heard that the department will fund 150 recruits for FY08/09 despite schedule delays, discussed preserving an assistant chief post to implement reforms, and received OCC and public-safety updates.
The San Francisco Police Commission on July 2 reviewed department budget reductions and staffing plans while hearing reports from the Office of Citizen Complaints and the police department.
In a presentation to the commission, Director Bukowski, the department’s chief financial officer, said the department accepted about $5.7 million in recommended cuts and a further $1.6 million approved by the budget committee, for roughly $7.3 million in reductions. He told commissioners the department is planning to fund 150 recruits for fiscal year 2008–09 even as it delays some academy class start dates to capture savings.
Why it matters: Commissioners pressed department leaders on whether the cuts would undermine public safety or the department’s ability to implement previously funded reforms. Several commissioners argued retaining an assistant chief to oversee implementation would protect the city’s investment in multi‑year studies and efficiency gains.
“I think ultimately saving that position and keeping that position could be a cost savings as we go forward,” Chair Teresa Sparks said during budget discussion, urging the Board of Supervisors to consider the long‑term implementation costs of cuts.
Details and staffing: Bukowski outlined options considered by the budget committee, including delaying the October and March academy classes while funding 150 recruits overall. He said upcoming classes include a lateral class of about 15 officers beginning Sept. 22, a full recruit class likely to begin Jan. 12 (about 40 recruits, with 25 airport‑funded), and a May class of roughly 45 recruits. On retirements, the department estimated around 49 survey responses indicating intent to retire, and seven personnel had entered DROP in the most recent days cited.
Civilianization and command staff: The department said 30 civilian positions are funded for the coming year, 19 of which were considered civilianizations. Bukowski and the chief described potential deletions of three captain positions and the elimination of one general‑fund commander post in the administration bureau, and said two deputy‑chief work‑order positions serving the Municipal Transportation Authority (MTA) and Public Utilities Commission (PUC) were being reviewed; those posts are funded by outside agencies and changes would be decided before October.
Oversight and OCC: Lieutenant Daniel Mahoney reported on records compliance with the Office of Citizen Complaints, saying his unit tracked 61 non‑routine requests and completed 57 on time, a 93% timely completion rate. OCC Director Hicks said the office had mediated 33 complaints of misconduct to date in 2008 and will use a modest 7% budget increase (about $284,000) to grow staffing from 33.75 to 36.75 positions, including one senior investigator and two support staff, to reduce investigator caseloads.
Public comment and community concerns: Public comment included calls for more detailed minutes and a proposal from a community member to expand the commission from seven to nine members, add a youth advisory position and shift authority to remove the police chief to the Board of Supervisors via a charter amendment. A separate commenter urged the commission to prioritize homicides and cited year‑by‑year homicide counts, saying the city needs a stronger homicide response.
Other business and actions: The commission approved minutes for past meetings and accepted a donation — a .223 caliber rifle (SGW serial C1050) from Officer Mark London — for use in the academy’s firearms training system; both items were approved without recorded objection. Commissioners also discussed rotating district meeting locations and tentatively scheduled July in Inner Sunset, plus themed future meetings on faith communities, off‑duty officers and families.
What’s next: Budget committee recommendations will go to the full Board of Supervisors on July 15; commissioners said they will continue to press the board to preserve implementation staffing and to monitor final budget decisions. The commission adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
