Supervisors Approve Reformed SFPD Use Of Force Policy Backed By Feds
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to support a reformed policy on the use of police force recommended by the U.S. Department of Justice in October.
The San Francisco Police Commission and Mayor Ed Lee also supported the new policy, according to county officials.
On Jan. 21, Lee invited the Justice Department to intervene and review the San Francisco Police Department's use of force strategies following officer-involved shootings that outraged the public, including the shooting deaths of Alex Nieto in 2014 and Mario Woods in 2015.
The San Francisco Police Commission and the San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA) have come to an impasse despite five months of negotiations, officials said.
The police commission and the Justice Department recommended prohibiting shooting at moving vehicles, a proposal that the SFPOA is citing as its reason for not moving forward.
"I commend and appreciate my colleagues' support of updating these antiquated policies in the police code," Supervisor Malia Cohen, who authored the resolution, said in a statement.
"It's critical, particularly at this time in history, that we stand united in delivering real reform to our police department. This is part of our ongoing efforts to build more trust and accountability between law enforcement and the public," Cohen said.
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