S.F. Supes committee names Police Commish after bruising hearing

SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL – BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAMBERS

Lee Heidhues 6.16.2025

Everything is politics in San Francisco. Particularly when law enforcement is involved.

Today provided a vivid example of the political brawling involved in the selection of a panelist for the seven member Police Commission. Particularly when the Commission will be a major player in the selection of a new Chief of Police. Replacing eight year incumbent Bill Scott.

The Board of Supervisors Rules Committee heard a couple of hours of testimony.

People lined up to testify at the Rules Committee hearing.

The most graphic and political testimony was provided by Randy Shaw, Director of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic a supporter of the eventual nominee Pratibha Tekkey; and Nancy Tung, Chairperson of the San Francisco Democratic Party, a supporter of Marjan Philhour.

Portions of the their respective testimony follow.

Randy Shaw – Director Tenderloin Housing Clinic – Pratihba Tekkey supporter spoke at the two hour: 35 minute: 50 second point in the televised hearing.

Randy Shaw – Director Tenderloin Housing Clinic – Pratihba Tekkey supporter in suit jacket waiting in line to speak. Sitting wearing glasses is Tracy McCray newly named SFPD “Commander” and currently President SF Police Officers Association.

“There has never been anyone from the Tenderloin on the Police Commission… Some people, including the head of the Democratic party Nancy Tung..if you don’t support Marjan you’re politicizing the process. But here we have the head of the Democratic Party in San Francisco doing more lobbying than anybody. That seems to be politicizing that which should be a non-political process. She also said that ‘everyday people’ support Marjan. I saw a lot of ‘everyday people here today. Everyday people who never come to City Hall to testify came out for Pratihba Tekkey.

Nancy Tung – Career Prosecutor – Marjan Philhour supporter spoke at the two hour: 41 minute: 05 second point in the televised hearing.

Nancy Tung – Career Prosecutor – Marjan Philhour supporter

“I want to pull back the curtain a little bit. People want to think these actions of this committee are apolitical. The actions of this Board and these committees often times show they are not (apolitical). In 2020 I was nominated for Mayoral appointment not in competition with anyone else for this very commission and was voted down by a majority of the Board of Supervisors. Including (current) Board President Mandelman. Do I take offense to this? No. Because this is not a decision, a decision that happens in a vacuum. It is a political decision and I want people to understand that. Was it bonkers? Maybe to some. But more than anything else the vote was political.”

A link to the entire hearing is attached. Open the link and go to the RULES COMMITTEE 6.16.2025 meeting.

https://sfgovtv.org/recent-archives

https://www.ebar.com/story/155276/News/Mandelman%20becomes%20powerbroker%20in%20high-stakes%20police%20commission%20fight

Top photo: Rules Committee members Stephen Sherill; Shamann Walton; and Rafael Mandelman