Tracy McCray - SFPOA President

As we have heard by now, Measure E passed, and with it comes the challenge of defining and implementing details of the measure in our police work. This got me thinking about using AI (artificial intelligence) in policing. Specifically, how we apply these changes in the lens of AI. Soon we will be meeting with the department about which of our general orders will be reviewed and update based on Measure E’s passage. How we can speed up our ability to capture complete and relevant information, but also not be weighed down by paperwork!

By the time this edition of the Journal is published, it will be approximately four days until the March 5, 2024, Primary Election. There are several local measures that will impact the path forward for both our city and the San Francisco Police Department, specifically Measures B (NO) and E (YES).

As of January 1, California’s police officers are free to partake in the off-duty use of marijuana thanks to legislation amending the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. Imagine, law enforcement officers are now able to recreationally consume a federally recognized Schedule One controlled substance. Wow, what a concept!

For the first time in what seems like forever, we are making progress on San Francisco’s public safety issues. Illegal drugs are being seized by the kilo, Get-out-of-Jail Free cards for drug dealers are revoked; smash and grab crooks are being tied to bigger retail theft operations; and San Francisco residents are breaking their silence and demanding from city leaders’ safe neighborhoods.

What a year it has been for the Association, I was already serving as the Acting President and Co-Chair of the Negotiating Committee trying to get a contract nailed down for the membership, when my term began. With an excellent team at the table and a great Co-Chair, Vice President Kevin Worrell, we set our sights on getting the best outcome for our members out of the City. As somewhat of a perfectionist, I always think: what more could we have done? At the end of the day, what we did get was excellent.

“The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.” We hear this phrase on the evening news describing the medical status of a crime victim, and we collectively breathe a sigh of relief. We tell ourselves that because the person did not die, everything will be all right.

It’s a lie. It’s important that we all know that. We’ve convinced ourselves that non-life-threatening injuries for a crime victim mean a clean bill of health instead of what they are for most victims: life-altering injuries.

What does that mean?

SF Residents Engaging in Public Safety Policies

Well, it happened again, another establishment refused service to an officer in uniform. I guess wanting a cup of coffee while working your shift in uniform is just too much for people. You would think if that were the company policy that the establishment would have the guts to post it so everyone can see it. Simply put it out there that you refuse service to any uniformed armed law enforcement officer that comes into your establishment so that we can spend our money elsewhere.

Often, people that I know and many that I don’t know personally, send all kinds of information to me. Some of this communication is in the form of a funny text, meme, video, or tweet from social media. Full disclosure, I have no social media accounts, none in my name or a fake name. We have a public relations firm that handles our social media accounts for the SFPOA. I coordinate with them on things to push out and of course I have final approval on all official communications that are sent by the SFPOA.

As many people know, the end of June is the end of the City’s fiscal year. While most people are making plans to celebrate our country’s birthday, those of us at the SFPOA office are watching to see how many officers are saying their goodbyes to the Department.