San Francisco Police Chief Search Nears Key Stage as Application Deadline Passes

San Francisco is actively progressing in its search for the city's next Police Chief, with the application period officially closing on Monday, September 8, 2025. The rigorous selection process, led by the San Francisco Police Commission and Mayor Daniel Lurie, aims to identify a leader capable of addressing the city's unique public safety challenges and continuing ongoing reform initiatives.

The national search, managed by recruitment firm Ralph Andersen & Associates, seeks a visionary leader with extensive law enforcement experience, a commitment to community policing, and the ability to navigate San Francisco's diverse political landscape. The ideal candidate is expected to maintain progress on significant reform efforts and build trust within all neighborhoods. The position, an at-will appointment, carries a current salary of $416,442.

As part of the transparent selection process, the Police Commission has been holding a series of community meetings throughout August and September to gather public input on the desired attributes of the next chief. These forums allow residents to share their insights directly with the search team. For instance, a community meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Chinatown Library, facilitated by Chief Daniel Hahn (Retired).

The community engagement efforts complement the formal application review, which will culminate in interviews with the Police Commission in mid-October. The Commission is slated to forward a list of finalist candidates to Mayor Lurie by November 12, 2025, with the final selection and announcement to follow a required background check. The new chief is ideally expected to begin as soon as possible to ensure a smooth transition.

The incoming chief will inherit a department facing significant challenges, including staffing shortages and evolving public safety demands. Mayor Lurie's administration has prioritized rebuilding police ranks, with recent initiatives like the Special Events Officer Program and increased recruitment efforts showing promising results, including a 64% increase in applications from January to June 2025 compared to the previous year. Interim Chief Paul Yep currently leads the San Francisco Police Department.