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Mayor's office outlines community-policing report, proposes advisory committee
Summary
The Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice presented a district-by-district community policing report and proposed an advisory committee; commissioners pressed for definitions, implementation details on foot patrols, interagency coordination and outreach to non-English-speaking communities.
The Mayor—s Office of Criminal Justice on Wednesday presented a "living" report cataloging current community-policing efforts across San Francisco and proposed forming an advisory committee early next year to coordinate community feedback and interagency work.
Lenore Anderson, deputy director of MOCJ, said the report compiles a departmental overview (including the director of community policing role, foot patrols and school-resource officers), descriptions of existing community partnerships and district-by-district summaries of local activities. "This report is also available on the mayor's office of criminal justice website," she said, and invited the commission to request a longer follow-up session in January or February.
Commissioners asked for clarity on the definition and core elements of community policing. "The San Francisco Police Department describes community policing as a philosophy that emphasizes community-oriented problem solving," Anderson said. Chief Heather Fong added that San Francisco's model emphasizes engaging every member of the department in community policing rather than isolating the work in a separate unit.
The commission pressed for specifics about implementation. Commissioners sought confirmation that the foot-patrol plan had been implemented; Chief Fong said the department deployed the foot-patrol plan on Nov. 24 and will gather materials to comply with board legislation. Commissioners also urged MOCJ to convene community-based organizations, including the African American Community Police Relations Board, and to coordinate with other city agencies through the proposed advisory committee.
Several public commenters welcomed the report but urged a clear mission statement and accountability mechanisms. Kathy Perry, a District 10 resident, said, "Please add a mission statement that says clearly what community policing is or how it works in San Francisco." Others raised concerns about MOUs and requested documented commitments and measurable results.
MOCJ and the department said the report is intended to be updated quarterly by district captains and to complement, not replace, broader external reviews such as cultural or management studies requested through RFPs.
The commission invited further review and outreach, asked Sergeant Riley to prepare neighborhood meeting schedules, and signaled interest in a more extensive presentation early next year.
