Search For New San Francisco Police Chief On The Fast Track

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS/AP) — The San Francisco Police Commission has moved to expedite the process to hire a new police chief.

The police commission on Wednesday approved a schedule that will allow Mayor Ed Lee to name a new chief as soon as March 15.

KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:

The San Francisco Police Commission will open the application window for just two weeks.

"We're going to put out the notice seeking a new police chief very soon, probably within the next two weeks, and then by March 15th, our goal is to get recommendations to Mayor Lee, and from there hopefully we will have a new chief," said Commissioner Angela Chan.

However, Commissioner Jim Hammer fears because the job is guaranteed only until the next mayor takes office in January, the pool of applicants may not be the strongest.

"Gascon brought real change to this department, and some of that work needs to be finished, but I fear that it won't be," said Hammer.

Commissioners hope to keep the names of applicants more secret than during the 2009 search for the city's top cop.

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