Gascon Warns Of Broken Criminal Justice System In San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - San Francisco's newly appointed District Attorney has offered some insight into his decision to move from his post as Chief of the San Francisco Police Department.

George Gascon hopes to repair what he described as a broken criminal justice system. He also expressed a desire to deflate any tension between prosecutors and police.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

Gascon's move from the SFPD to the District Attorney's office was widely seen as a surprising if not totally unexpected move.

Practically speaking, it was a minor move for Gascon, taking his belongings from the fifth floor to the third floor of San Francisco's Hall of Justice.

One day into the job, Gascon made it clear his focus was on the justice system.

"Our system is broken. And I'm not talking about this office, I'm talking about the criminal justice system. I believe that it is broken. It's broken economically and it's broken socially," he said.

Gascon also acknowledged that he wasn't tapped to prosecute cases as much as he was tapped to manage the office.

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