John,

We have been working hard to address the serious public safety challenges in San Francisco, but in order to do this we need more police officers out on the street, walking the beat. Unfortunately, our city is facing a severe police staffing shortage. Police staffing levels have fallen precipitously in the last three years leaving our city 541 officers below the recommended staffing level.

As the number of officers declines, the need for overtime increases in order to provide the same level of service. Between 2021 and 2022, SFPD saw a 121% increase in total overtime. 

That is why I introduced a $27.6 million budget supplemental to help fund police overtime caused by our city’s severe police staffing shortage. The supplemental will ensure that police officers are able to continue to respond to the basic needs and priority concerns facing San Francisco. This funding will also continue to support SFPD Community Ambassadors. 

But I need your help today to urge the Board of Supervisors to pass this critical funding for police overtime to keep our city safe. Please call or email your supervisor and urge them to support the $27.6 million budget supplemental.

The supplemental funding is supported by original co-sponsors Supervisors Catherine Stefani, Rafael Mandelman, Matt Dorsey, and Joel Engardio.

While we are working on many strategies to address our staffing shortage, including attracting new officers and retaining the officers currently serving our city, we can’t wait to ensure our officers are able to provide the basic services our residents deserve. We need officers responding to break-ins, breaking up the open-air drug dealing in the Tenderloin, and addressing the shootings and violent crimes in our neighborhoods. 

This funding is essential for keeping our City safe. If the Board of Supervisors does not pass this supplemental budget, the Controller will be required to freeze hiring and overtime spending through the end of the fiscal year in June, significantly reducing policing levels across the city.

I need your help to ensure that it is approved by the Board of Supervisors next week. Contact your Supervisor today.

You can learn more about the budget supplemental here. 

Thank you for your support and your action on this essential funding. 

Mayor London Breed