Rules committee advances Yvonne Lee nomination to San Francisco Police Commission

Ross Perguremi, chair of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee, convened a special hearing to consider Mayor Newsom’s nomination of Yvonne Lee to the San Francisco Police Commission to serve the unexpired portion of a four-year term ending April 30, 2010. The clerk read the motion to confirm the nomination, and Lee appeared at the hearing to describe her background and priorities.

Lee, who said she was appointed previously to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, framed her candidacy around civil-rights experience, community organizing and service to linguistically isolated residents. "Keeping our city safe cannot be taken on by any one entity alone," she said, adding that she would work with the police chief, precincts and community stakeholders "to get a better understanding" of problems and to pursue training and oversight measures.

Committee members focused much of the discussion on police accountability and community trust in the wake of recent incidents. Chair Perguremi told Lee that "in the last 4 days, 5 days, we've had 4 homicides" and asked how the commission could respond; Lee emphasized building trust, improving access for foreign-born and limited-English households and adopting best practices for civilian oversight. Supervisor Tom Ammiano raised concerns about camera policies, the effectiveness of the Office of Citizen Complaints and pursuit protocols, saying the committee should revisit those topics in future hearings.

A series of public commenters—representing neighborhood groups, immigrant-rights organizations and legal associations—testified overwhelmingly in favor of Lee’s appointment. Edward, speaking for Chinatown CDC and citing an endorsement from the Asian Law Caucus, praised Lee’s grassroots organizing and leadership during a community response to a police video. Richard Al recounted Lee’s role in prompting training changes after a police shooting in another county. Daphne Kwok (Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation), Judith Golomb (Immigrant Legal Resource Center), and David Chu (Asian American Bar Association) each described Lee’s experience working with immigrant communities and her ability to bridge community and law-enforcement interests; Chu said Lee brings "a fact-based approach" to resolving difficult conflicts.

Not all testimony was unqualified: Francisco de Costa said the city faces deeper social-service and economic issues that contribute to crime and said he would watch the nominee's performance. The transcript contains variant spellings for some names and references a public speaker who had to leave early; those inconsistencies are noted in the committee record.

After public comment, the committee moved to forward a recommendation to the full Board of Supervisors to confirm Yvonne Lee; the transcript records "So moved, we look forward to your service," but does not show a roll-call or recorded vote. The special hearing was then adjourned.

The next procedural step is consideration of the committee report by the full Board of Supervisors; no effective date or additional conditions for Lee’s service were recorded in the hearing transcript.