May is always an exciting month because it is the last month of the school year or, looking at it another way, the month before summer. This May was “something” in San Francisco and for the SFPD.
There were many examples in May of the SFPD doing everything they can to keep our City safe by placing themselves in harm’s way to keep others safe. None was more exemplary of this fact than an incident that took place on the 800 block of Post Street. Early in May a desperate suspect was being sought by Rohnert Park PD as “a person of interest” in the beating death of his mother in their city a few days earlier. Rohnert Park officers contacted SFPD Homicide saying that they would be in The City looking for the suspect at his girlfriend’s apartment. No one could have ever expected what would come next. Officers knocked on the door and asked an obviously shaken girlfriend if her boyfriend was home when she answered the door. She told the officers he was. The Rohnert Park officers knew something was wrong and called SFPD for backup…lucky they did.
As SFPD came on scene, they found Rohnert Park officers with weapons drawn asking the suspect to come out where they could see him. Shortly after this, the suspect began firing upon the officers through the walls (Thoughts of the Oakland PD tragedy where two officers were killed by a suspect shooting through walls went through everyone’s mind when this was reported). In any case, the professionalism and valor of the SFPD officers (and that of their fellow officers from Rohnert Park) would be demonstrated over the course of the next 60 minutes. A critical incident was declared and officers responded from every corner of the City. Residents were evacuated from the subject building and neighboring buildings. Nearly 200 people were evacuated in all (Thank you Red Cross, too). During this entire time the suspect continued to shoot through walls, ceiling, and the floor at the sound of any movement. Officers maintained their cool under fire and continued to try and gain a tactical advantage to end the threat without deadly force; but then the suspect lit his apartment on fire. SFFD, although always willing to put their lives on the line to save others, are not equipped to deal with an “active shooter”. Not knowing how many residents had “secured in place” and knowing that all the buildings on the block were attached and could all be burned to the ground, the decision (the right decision) was made to neutralize the threat, if it could be done safely. The opportunity presented itself and the shot was taken ending the siege. This was not an easy decision to make, but it was the right one.
I have been saying since becoming your Chief that I want us to be known as the smartest most thoughtful professional Department in the country. The event as it unfolded that evening in early May was the perfect example of a smart, thoughtful, courageous, and completely professional engagement of a suspect determined to take lives. The actions of emergency service personnel on scene that night saved lives. They absolutely did! God Bless the men and women of the SFPD, Rohnert Park PD, and the SFFD. Job well done!
Another example of great teamwork was the planning that went into what ended up being as spectacular an event as I can ever remember in San Francisco – the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Golden Gate Bridge. The SFPD worked with more agencies than I can name; Federal, State, Local, Public, and Private to put on this once in a lifetime show. Thousands of people came from every corner of the Bay Area to celebrate our country’s greatest bridge and they were not disappointed. The crowd was treated to an evening of music and as spectacular a fireworks show as you will ever see. Congratulations to all involved. Again, a job well done! Happy Birthday GG Bridge and may you stand forever!
And finally, Graduation! To all the graduates, and to their parents, who did the work and finished the journey – heartfelt congratulations to all of you for it is a journey made together! If your graduation was from high school, you can expect to live 9 years longer and earn 50% more money than you might have had you never graduated. It’s true. The statistics are frightening as to how “at risk” those who don’t graduate from high school are. Do everything you can to encourage every young person you know to graduate from high school, at least. Remember, there are many cops who became cops with but a high school diploma…I am one of them. That said, don’t be satisfied. Keep going, for the future is even brighter for college graduates.
In closing, let me leave you with a thought that I write inside every graduation card I give. A thought that I would like every officer to carry as you begin every tour of duty and, hopefully, ‘til the end of your career and beyond.
“What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?”
Be safe out there
Oro En Paz Fierro En Guerra
Greg Suhr
Chief of Police, San Francisco Police Department
P.S: The first of this year’s District Station / Detail Meetings will begin in mid-June. One of the key messages from last year’s meetings, was “officers want their leaders to listen to/hear them”. I committed to always listen to/hear you….I’ll be out again beginning in June to do just that.
