Dozens of people from the LGBT and other communities gathered last week to tell the San Francisco Police Commission what they want to see in the city's next police chief.
The forum was held at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, but a broad range of topics – beyond specifically gay concerns – were raised. Diversity inside the department and respect for the diversity of the city's residents; better collaboration with nightlife officials; and officers developing relationships with people in the neighborhoods they serve, especially youth, were among the issues discussed.
Three of the commission's seven members – Jim Hammer, R. James Slaughter, and Angela Chan – heard comments at the event.
This was the third community forum. The commission is working to provide Mayor Ed Lee with three candidates for police chief by March 15.
The chief vacancy occurred after former Mayor Gavin Newsom, now the state's lieutenant governor, appointed Chief George Gascón to be the city's district attorney.
Police officers were among those who spoke at the forum Thursday, February 24.
"The first time I was called 'faggot' was in the police academy," said longtime homicide Inspector Kevin Jones, an out gay man. He said the last person who made that remark was also from the police department.
Jones said there's been progress, but he expressed concern about someone from outside San Francisco being hired as the next chief. He said if they talk to candidates from outside the city, commissioners should inquire whether they have gay people in their departments.
They should ask, "Do you really have any? Do you really know their names?" said Jones.
Lieutenant Lea Militello, who heads the homicide unit and is an out lesbian, said she'd soon be starting her 31st year with the department.
"I want a police chief, him or her, that embraces diversity, that doesn't just talk the talk, that walks the walk," she said.
Militello said there are "a few" transgender people in the department, but "we're not doing enough in that area." She also said it's "ridiculous" that there are no out gay men higher than the rank of sergeant.
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