2015, A Recap

2015 has been an extremely tumultuous year for law enforcement throughout the United States, as well as right here in our own backyard. During much of the past 12 months, the POA has been addressing a variety of issues – both old and new – and I would like to recap to you the busy year we have seen fly by:

• A new SFPD policy that will take effect early in the New Year. That policy will cover the use, implementation, storage, and viewing of footage for Body Worn Cameras (BWC). This will be the biggest change to the SFPD since the department issued PIC radios to members in the 1970's, or when the department converted from revolvers to semi automated handguns in the 1990's. The department and the City must get every aspect of this new protocol correct and credible so that members will buy into this new technology and make it effective. If members believe that the procedures will jeopardize their safety, or impair their emergency response, the potential for distrust increases. It will also be imperative that officers are allowed to view video sequences prior to documenting any event.

• On February 10, 2015, the rededication of the Officer Douglas Gibbs Memorial took place at the Lake Merced Range. Officer Gibbs was shot and killed in the line of duty in 1977. The old memorial at the Lake Merced wooden pier had fallen into disrepair and was overgrown. The Veterans Police Officers Association took the lead on this project, and they did a fantastic job. The POA joined forces with the VPOA to see this project to completion, and the surviving members of the Gibbs family were grateful for our efforts.

• Although there are many heroic acts performed by members of the SFPD every year, the POA took notice and promoted the heroism of Officer Michael Beaird. In late January Officer Beaird responded to a four-alarm fire in the Mission District and saved the life of 13-year old Alessandro Gonzalez along with his dog, Buddy. Alessandro and his dog were stuck on a fire escape unable to make it to the street. Officer Beaird was able to make his way to Alessandro and rescue him and his beloved dog. The POA produced a video about this event and promoted it on local television. The POA later took the entire Gonzalez family on a shopping spree to help them get established in their new apartment.

• Throughout the year there were various city organizations (the Democratic County Central Committee, the San Francisco Labor Council, and certain members of the Board of Supervisors) who conveniently jumped on the anti-law enforcement band wagon and tried to pass baseless resolutions painting all members of the SFPD with the broad brush of racism. Of course, this was baseless, unfair, and offensive. Much of the ridiculous language that was introduced came directly from Public Defender Jeff Adachi. The POA met with all of these organizations, and we provided them with the facts and the policies that are currently in place within the SFPD. The truth prevailed, and all resolutions were ultimately defeated. 

• On May 21, 2015 the POA held its annual Medal of Honor ceremony and dinner. Members who had placed themselves in harms way or displayed valor in the field were recognized for their honorable acts. The recipients’ families were also invited and acknowledged for their support of their family members who serve. The POA Medal of Honor ceremony was established after the Department initially denied SFPD Medals of Valor for members who were involved in an OIS in 2004. Those members eventually -- and deservedly -- received their department medals in 2010, but the POA has nonetheless perpetuated our Medal of Honor program.

• With all of the negative rhetoric about policing that was being driven by media, the POA invited 55 individuals of the written and television press to the Academy in June so they could experience some of the training that officers must go through. The POA made arrangement for the press to go through the Forced Option Training Simulator (aka FATS or Shoot Don't Shoot). We also had members who had gone through an actual Officer involved Shooting (OIS) available for interviews. Not surprisingly, only 5 members of the media bothered to show up and experience our side of these tense situations. We were furthered disappointed when none of them published a report about their sim-training.

• The senseless and preventable murder of Kate Steinle on Pier 14 by a five-time deported and seven-time convicted illegal alien exposed the flawed San Francisco Sanctuary City Policy. It equally revealed the ludicrous internal policy put in place by Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi that allowed this felon to walk free on the streets of the city rather than being appropriately deported. The POA came out strongly against certain provisions of the City policy, and against Mirkirimi's internal policy. Thankfully, the voters have sent the right message to Mirkarimi and his days are numbered. Unfortunately, the flawed provisions of the city policy remain in place and certain elected politicians refuse to take action or they just don't care.

• The annual POA Poker Tournament on September 25, 2015 was the most successful to date. All proceeds benefited the Jeff Barker Scholarship Fund. With this scholarship fund along with the Mayor/Chief Frank Jordan & Wendy Paskin-Jordan Scholarship Fund, the POA was able to distribute the largest amount of scholarship grants in the history of the POA. These grants were awarded to the dependents of active, retired, and deceased members.

• Sadly, the POA lost two active members in 2015. Officer Calvin Tom (Airport) suddenly and unexpectedly passed away on February 16, 2015. Calvin was well liked and respected by those who knew him and worked with him at the Airport and he is sorely missed. We also lost Lieutenant Yvonne Pratt (Airport) who passed away on April 25, 2015 after a valiant fight against Adenosarcoma. I worked with Yvonne at Bayview Station in the late 1990's and later served with her on two committees at the POA. She was a wonderful, kind, strong woman who was generous to a fault. May Calvin and Yvonne both Rest In Peace.

• On November 10, 2015 the SFPD and the POA celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Women on Patrol in the SFPD. The celebration at City Hall was well attended by active, retired, and former SFPD women. All gathered on the Grand Staircase under the rotunda of City Hall to capture the moment on film. The POA and the SFPD Command Staff then co-sponsored the reception in the North Light Court after the ceremony.

These are only a recap of several events that the POA is involved with. They are all important to the POA because of the benefit to the communities that we serve, and in which we are such vital partners. As such, we were happy to help many in those communities.

The holiday season is usually the most festive and joyous time of the year, as it should be. I hope and pray that this is true for those in the SFPD and for those who read this publication. To the members of the POA I say this: Each of you entered into a noble and honorable profession, and for all the right reasons. Take pride in what you do despite the naysayers. We all know the truth.

I wish all a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and peace in 2016.

Slainte!