Police commission asks controller for independent review of civilianization efforts

Commissioner David Campos introduced a resolution asking the city controller to review the San Francisco Police Department's efforts to civilianize positions and report back to the Board of Supervisors and the public. Campos said the commission has a charter responsibility to report on civilianization and that an independent review would clarify which positions should be civilian and where barriers exist.

The resolution drew public support from neighborhood groups and civilian employees. Frank Martin Del Campo, representing SFPD civilian employees, thanked Campos and urged the commission to pass the measure. Residents from Bernal Heights and Ingleside described partnership work with officers and asked the commission to pursue any measures that would free sworn officers for street duty.

Commissioners debated sources of information and the best mechanism for review. Commissioner Thomas Mazuko and Vice President Joe Marshall said they supported civilianization in principle but raised practical questions about whether the department already provides sufficient information and about controller capacity. Bukowski and other staff noted prior reports and controller work that had identified positions for civilianization.

After discussion, Campos moved to adopt the resolution and Commissioner Marshall seconded the motion. The chair directed staff to prepare a letter for the president's signature to the controller's office requesting the review. The transcript does not include a formal recorded roll-call tally; the commission directed staff to proceed with the letter-writing and follow-up.

The next procedural step is for the president to sign and transmit the letter to the controller's office as directed by the commission.