Committee recommends ballot measure to remove SFPD minimum-staffing requirement after heated public comment

The Rules Committee voted July 13 to forward a charter amendment to the full Board that would remove the charter's minimum sworn-officer floor for the San Francisco Police Department and instead require the Police Department to submit a staffing assessment and recommendation to the Police Commission every two years. The Commission would consider the report when reviewing the department's proposed budget. The amendment would appear on the November 3, 2020 ballot.

President (Supervisor) Yee said the current minimum staffing requirement is outdated and was not based on departmental workload; he described a biennial, data-driven process as an improvement that would give the city flexibility to reimagine public safety.

Public comment was lengthy and polarized. Supporters argued that removing an arbitrary minimum is necessary to reallocate resources to social services, community-based interventions and oversight; many urged placing the measure on the ballot and moving toward reduced sworn staffing. Opponents warned that reducing police staffing could increase crime and endanger residents and officers; one caller said cutting the minimum would create "a catastrophic, deadly public policy decision." Several current or former law-enforcement personnel also spoke during public comment expressing concerns about the pace and sequencing of any reduction.

After hearing public comment, the committee adopted the motion to recommend the charter amendment to the full Board. The roll-call vote in committee recorded Supervisor Stephanie Aye, Supervisor Mar Aye, and Chair Ronan Aye; the motion passed.