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News & Updates

Wednesday, January 01, 2020
Close Encounters January 2020
We normally sign off each one of our columns with a ‘Stay safe’ hoping that you can avoid all of the dangers associated with the job you do. After all, what other profession requires that you wear a gun to work. And what other occupation leaves you with only seconds before you have to decide which type of force is necessary to render a situation safe. Read More
Wednesday, January 01, 2020
January 2020 - Calendar of Events
Mark your calendars for the following meetings and events by the POA and its friends and supporters. All dates and times are subject to last minute changes, so always contact the event coordinator to confirm dates and times. If you have an event you would like posted on our calendar, contact the editor at journal@sfpoa.org. Read More
Wednesday, January 01, 2020
The Crisis No One is Talking About
We’re in the midst of a police-staffing crisis. You wouldn’t know it, because policy makers are not talking about it. Police unions and chiefs alike have been sounding the alarm bell, but no one is really listening. Read More
Sunday, December 01, 2019
SFPD Promotional Process
Transparency. Trust. Integrity. Fairness. These are the words you will see in “reform” reports such as the SFPD 2016 Collaborative Reform Initiative (CRI) and the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Words that are meant to be cornerstones of a foundation to build change. Read More
Sunday, December 01, 2019
Close Encounters December 2019
It’s amazing just how much police work is taking place in San Francisco on any given day. You’d never know it from the various news outlets that supposedly “cover” The City. And that’s why we prepare this column each month for The Journal. Read More
Sunday, December 01, 2019
December 2019 - Calendar of Events
Mark your calendars for the following meetings and events by the POA and its friends and supporters. All dates and times are subject to last minute changes, so always contact the event coordinator to confirm dates and times. If you have an event you would like posted on our calendar, contact the editor at journal@sfpoa.org. Read More
Friday, November 01, 2019
Close Encounters November 2019
There’s a certain bond between first responders that makes their relationship to one another special. That bond was celebrated on the last day of Father John Greene’s long service to the Catholic Church held at St. Monica’s during the annual Police/Firefighter Mass. But as ‘Father John’ moves on with his future interests maybe we should re-evaluate some of ours. Read More
Friday, November 01, 2019
Gascón’s Number One Priority: Gascón
George Gascón. Good riddance. Unfortunately, it may not be a complete goodbye for our former District Attorney. No, consistent with his past practice, he quit on San Francisco early in order to continue to propel his political career. Now he wants the District Attorney’s job in Los Angeles. Read More
Friday, November 01, 2019
November 2019 - Calendar of Events
Mark your calendars for the following meetings and events by the POA and its friends and supporters. All dates and times are subject to last minute changes, so always contact the event coordinator to confirm dates and times. If you have an event you would like posted on our calendar, contact the editor at journal@sfpoa.org. Read More
Tuesday, October 01, 2019
A Fine, Fine Mess
The cornerstone of any good decision-making process is having a system in place to evaluate whether the decisions you made are actually working out as planned. This applies in the business world and should definitely apply in the world of public policy—but it doesn’t. When it comes to so called “criminal justice reform,” there’s been a distinct absence of analytics. Read More
Tuesday, October 01, 2019
October 2019 - Calendar of Events
Mark your calendars for the following meetings and events by the POA and its friends and supporters. All dates and times are subject to last minute changes, so always contact the event coordinator to confirm dates and times. If you have an event you would like posted on our calendar, contact the editor at journal@sfpoa.org. Read More
Sunday, September 01, 2019
September 2019 - Calendar of Events
Mark your calendars for the following meetings and events by the POA and its friends and supporters. All dates and times are subject to last minute changes, so always contact the event coordinator to confirm dates and times. If you have an event you would like posted on our calendar, contact the editor at journal@sfpoa.org. Read More
Sunday, September 01, 2019
Doomed to Repeat the Past: DPA in Decline
Under Director Paul Henderson’s leadership, The Department of Police Accountability has not changed course after the upheaval that led to former Director Joyce Hicks’ resignation in 2017.  Former Director Hicks’ tenure came to an end shortly after DPA began a practice of direct filing of frivolous complaints to the Police Commission and seeking hefty suspensions.  The Pol Read More
Thursday, August 01, 2019
August 2019 - Calendar of Events
Mark your calendars for the following meetings and events by the POA and its friends and supporters. All dates and times are subject to last minute changes, so always contact the event coordinator to confirm dates and times. If you have an event you would like posted on our calendar, contact the editor at journal@sfpoa.org. Read More
Monday, July 01, 2019
July 2019 - Calendar of Events
Mark your calendars for the following meetings and events by the POA and its friends and supporters. All dates and times are subject to last minute changes, so always contact the event coordinator to confirm dates and times. If you have an event you would like posted on our calendar, contact the editor at journal@sfpoa.org. Read More
Monday, July 01, 2019
The Importance of Coalitions in Improving Policing
Law enforcement has dramatically changed over the last ten years. From the impact of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, to the growing demands on police departments to be the first responder to nearly every social challenge a community faces—police work is fundamentally different and evolving constantly. Read More
Saturday, June 01, 2019
June 2019 - Calendar of Events
Mark your calendars for the following meetings and events by the POA and its friends and supporters. All dates and times are subject to last minute changes, so always contact the event coordinator to confirm dates and times. If you have an event you would like posted on our calendar, contact the editor at journal@sfpoa.org. Read More
Saturday, June 01, 2019
Mental Health Issues are Significant Work Load of SF First Responders
Our state faces a mental health crisis. San Franciscans feel this more than most. The SFPOA is working to advocate for more mental health funding and will be looking at new laws which will give local authorities a greater ability to intercede to ensure someone gets the care they need before they slip further towards a mental health crisis. Read More
Wednesday, May 01, 2019
The Myth of Criminalizing Homelessness
Homelessness is not a new problem for our Department, and it is certainly not a new problem for the residents of San Francisco. However, the expectations of how police officers conduct ourselves managing our homelessness epidemic has evolved over time. The expectations have gotten much more demanding. Read More
Wednesday, May 01, 2019
May 2019 - Calendar of Events
Mark your calendars for the following meetings and events by the POA and its friends and supporters. All dates and times are subject to last minute changes, so always contact the event coordinator to confirm dates and times. If you have an event you would like posted on our calendar, contact the editor at journal@sfpoa.org. Read More