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SF Wants to Ban Hiring Police with History of Misconduct

Motivated by George Floyd, the SF District Attorney wants to stop hiring cops with history of excessive force, bias or misconduct
By - posted 6/4/2020 No Comment

Thanks to ALT1053 and San Francisco Chronicle for letting us know that the San Francisco DA announced a resolution that urges the San Francisco Civil Service Commission to place a ban on hiring officers with a history of misconduct.

On Thursday, June 2nd, San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin and Supervisor Shamann Walton announced a resolution to help protect the public and particularly people of color from police misconduct. 

Read the complete Resolution

“Across the nation, we have seen the repeated failures of our legal system to hold police accountable for the violence, abuse, and even murders committed against people of color and especially Black people,” said District Attorney Boudin.  

What does the resolution say?

The resolution urges the San Francisco Civil Service Commission to prohibit the San Francisco Police Department and San Francisco Sheriff’s Department from hiring officers with a known history of serious police misconduct such as:

  • excessive force
  • racial bias 
  • discrimination based on race, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation
  • dishonesty related to the reporting, investigation, or prosecution of a crime, or misconduct of another officer. 

Will This Make a Difference? It Might have in Minneapolis.

According to the San Francisco District Attorney, “The need for this resolution was made apparent by the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis Police Department Officer, Derek Chauvin. Chauvin kneeled on Mr. Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes as he struggled to breathe and cried for help. During his time on the police force, Chauvin had faced at least 17 prior complaints, including of police brutality. Chauvin had also been involved in numerous officer-involved shootings, including an incident in which he fatally shot someone. Despite these complaints, violent incidents, and at least one reprimand, Chauvin was allowed to remain on the police force. That lack of accountability for Chauvin led to the death of George Floyd.” Read more.