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Rules Committee recommends Bill Ong Hing for Police Commission seat over Supervisor Cohen's dissent
Summary
After hearing three applicants and dozens of public commenters, the Rules Committee voted 2–1 to forward Professor Bill Ong Hing’s nomination to the Board of Supervisors for the vacant Police Commission seat; Supervisor Malia Cohen recorded a dissent citing a missed application deadline and attendance concerns.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee on Dec. 12 voted to forward the nomination of Bill Ong Hing to the full Board to fill a vacant Police Commission seat, with a 2–1 committee recommendation that drew public comment and partisan debate.
Professor Bill Ong Hing, a longtime scholar and immigrant-rights advocate, and John Hamasaki, a criminal defense attorney who drew extensive community endorsements, each spoke at the hearing. Hing emphasized systemic reform, training and comparative standards for police training; Hamasaki recounted experience defending criminal clients, highlighted the death of Mario Woods and called for accountability, data-driven analysis and expanded community engagement. "Our city is in crisis," Hamasaki said during his presentation.
During the committee’s deliberations Supervisor Eric Marr moved to recommend Bill Ong Hing. Marr argued Hing’s broad immigrant-rights perspective and long-term community relationships made him the best fit for the seat. Supervisor Malia Cohen opposed the motion and recorded a dissent, saying the applicant had missed the filing deadline and raising concerns about attendance and engagement with Police Commission meetings. "I interpret that as the deadline was missed because you're not paying attention," Cohen said.
Public comment was heavily weighted in favor of Hamasaki: community groups, public defenders and police-accountability organizations urged the committee to recommend Hamasaki based on his courtroom experience and community ties. Despite those endorsements, the roll-call vote on Marr’s motion recorded Marr "aye," Cohen "no," and Chair Katie Tang "aye," resulting in a 2–1 committee recommendation to forward Hing’s name to the full Board for confirmation.
The committee’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for action at its next meeting. The transcript shows robust public engagement on the item and a split committee vote recorded on the record.
