Advocates of police reform in San Francisco got the gift they’ve been waiting for just before the holidays with the selection of Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief William “Bill” Scott as Chief of Police. Scott is the department’s highest-ranking African American officer and viewed as a steady hand when it comes to reform of troubled police departments.
“Deputy Chief Scott has seen firsthand not just what it takes to implement a series of reforms, but the efforts it will take to transform a department … to build trust,” said Mayor Ed Lee.
Scott is replacing Greg Suhr who stepped down in May, following a series of department scandals. His appointment comes six months after the U.S. Department of Justice found rampant racial bias affecting the SFPD.
Read more about San Francisco’s new Chief of Police here.