Paul Chignell

For so many years the Excelsior and Outer Mission neighborhoods of San Francisco have been forgotten. Far from City Hall, and without the benefits of mercantile tourism or panoramic views, the political leaders of these and adjacent neighborhoods such as New Mission Terrace, Cayuga Terrace Neighborhood, Silver avenue residents and many more were resentful of a lack of city services or acknowledgement of their specific needs.

• President of the San Francisco Police Officers’ Association from 1972-1979.

• Founder of the “Blue Coats”, a group that transformed the San Francisco Police Officers’ Association into a powerful police union.

• In the 1970s was President of the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs.

• In 1971 spearheaded the first contract on working conditions for police officers in the City and County of San Francisco.

• In 1971 was the leader in passing Proposition E on the November ballot which provided for a civil service examination for police investigators.

The passing of former POA President Jerry Crowley at the age of 81 is a major milestone for the police labor movement in the State of California and, of course, for the City and County of San Francisco. Since the 1970s, little has been written about the sheer determination, leadership, and amazing accomplishments of this stalwart police union figure.

by Paul Chignell, Legal Defense Administrator, SFPOA