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Rules committee forwards James Byrne nomination to Police Commission after confirmation hearing and broad public support
Summary
After testimony and extensive public comment in favor, the Rules Committee unanimously recommended Mayor Breed's nominee James Byrne be sent to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation; committee members pressed Byrne on crisis-response oversight, taser policy and his Form 700 entries.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee voted April 12 to forward the mayor's nominee, James Byrne, to the Police Commission to the full board with a positive recommendation after questioning and substantial public comment in his favor.
Byrne, an immigration attorney and long-time San Francisco resident, described his background in the Excelsior and Sunset districts and said personal experiences with policing in Northern Ireland shaped his interest in reform and accountability. "I want to be their voice on the commission," Byrne said, describing his commitment to immigrant communities and to improving access to disciplinary records and oversight.
Supervisors pressed Byrne on several topics. Chair Aaron Peskin asked if Byrne had trial experience relevant to the seat; Byrne confirmed he does. Supervisor Connie Chan asked how Byrne would evaluate and support the city's street crisis response teams (mental-health and social-work alternatives to police). Byrne said the teams should be fully trained and implemented before shifting police responsibilities and that he would ride with crisis-response teams and police to compare approaches. On use-of-force policy, Byrne said he believes tasers can be lethal and said he supports policies that would keep tasers out of use by the Police Commission and Board.
Vice Chair Rafael Mandelman emphasized that commitment to reform must be paired with effective, compassionate policing and efforts to recruit a police force reflective of the city's diversity; he said Byrne demonstrated that commitment. Dozens of callers, including immigrant-rights advocates, faith leaders and community members, urged the committee to confirm Byrne, citing his pro bono immigration work and ties to immigrant communities.
Chair Peskin moved to amend the nomination motion to remove the word "rejecting" from the title and then moved to send the amended nomination to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation; roll-call votes on both motions were unanimous among the three committee members present. The Rules Committee forwarded Byrne's nomination to the full board for consideration.
Next steps: the nomination will be considered by the full Board of Supervisors at its next meeting.
