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San Diego council unanimously confirms Scott Wall as police chief
Summary
The San Diego City Council voted 9–0 on May 13 to confirm Assistant Chief Scott Wall as the city27s next police chief; Wall will assume office June 7, 2024. Council members praised his community‑policing record after a multi‑step recruitment and public input process.
The San Diego City Council unanimously confirmed Assistant Chief Scott Wall as the city27s next police chief on May 13, voting 9–0 to ratify Mayor Todd Gloria27s nomination. Wall is scheduled to assume the office on June 7, 2024.
Mayor Todd Gloria framed the appointment as a continuity and community‑focused choice, telling the council that he "wholeheartedly believe[s] that he is the right person to lead this department." City staff said the selection followed the process in Council Policy 308, which included a nationwide recruiting firm, nine community meetings and a public survey that drew nearly 800 responses.
The council heard more than two dozen speakers during the public comment period, most of them in support. Sarah Napoli, president and CEO of the San Diego Police Foundation, urged a unanimous vote, saying Wall "listens, he responds, and yet he innovates." Several neighborhood leaders, nonprofit directors and union representatives described sustained working relationships with Wall and cited his work building partnerships across divisions.
Council members praised Wall27s record and asked him to outline priorities. In the public hearing and during council Q&A, Wall said he planned to centralize juvenile administrative services and community policing functions to improve coordination across the city, describing community policing as a core departmental approach. "I won't let you guys down," Wall said, emphasizing transparency and accountability.
Several council members raised implementation concerns such as staffing levels and the department27s ability to retain officers amid retirements. Wall acknowledged the challenges and described efforts to expand alternatives to incarceration, strengthen violence‑interruption programs and preserve neighborhood policing teams.
The Committee of the Whole had earlier recommended confirmation (8–1). With the council27s unanimous vote, the appointment is final; Wall will formally assume the chief27s duties on June 7, 2024.
