Embattled San Francisco Police Chief Gregory P. Suhr is out of a job following the fatal shooting of an unarmed black woman by one of the city's police officers last week. Mayor Ed Lee confirmed he had forced the chief's resignation Thursday, less than 24 hours after the incident occurred.
San Francisco's police force has come under fire lately for a series of officer-involved shootings, as well as a scandal involving bigoted text messages exchanged between members of the police department. But until Thursday, Mayor Lee had stood by Suhr, who has served as chief since 2011 and boasts a career in law enforcement spanning more than 30 years.
Last week's shooting appears to have been the last straw for Lee and comes amid increased scrutiny of law enforcement and racial tensions around the country. The mayor praised Suhr as a dedicated public servant Thursday, but said the time had come for change.
Acting Police Chief Toney Chaplin has assumed Suhr's duties for the time being. The 26-year department veteran—himself an African American—has already promised a "top-to-bottom" review of the department.
Read more about the chief’s ouster here.