News Releases
The latest news and announcements from Mayor London N. Breed

Mayor Lee Appoints Bill Scott as Chief of Police

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced that he will appoint Bill Scott, Deputy Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department to serve as Chief of the San Francisco Police department.

Deputy Chief Scott will succeed Interim Chief Toney Chaplin who was asked by Mayor Lee to lead SFPD after the resignation of former Police Chief Greg Suhr. Chaplin served as Chief beginning in May 2016, and is a 26-year veteran of the Department.

“I want to extend my deepest thanks to Interim Chief Toney Chaplin,” added Mayor Lee. “He has led the department through a critical time, under increased scrutiny and pressure. From the start, Toney has been a strong advocate for change within the department and did an incredible job laying the groundwork for some of our most important reforms. SFPD is better today thanks to the dedication, integrity and determination of Toney Chaplin.”

“During the last year, we have made significant steps in building a 21st Century police force. The appointment of Bill Scott as the new Chief of SFPD is our City’s next step on the continued path to reform,” said Mayor Ed Lee. “Bill knows first-hand what it takes to not only implement a series of reforms but also the effort it takes to transform a department, rebuild trust and create a transparent and accountable department. He also brings a significant operational and administrative experience needed to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe each day.”

Scott will lead SFPD as it undertakes key reforms laid out by the Department of Justice. During the last 16 years, the LAPD has adopted and enacted dozens of major reforms, including overhauling its tools for tracking officer misconduct, investigations into cases involving force by officers, training, an independent watchdog office and more.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the great city of San Francisco. I admire San Francisco’s proactive approach to reform in the wake of incidents in the last two years, and I look forward to continuing this work in partnership with Mayor Lee, the San Francisco Police Commission, the Police Officers Association and the community,” said Deputy Chief Bill Scott. “I bring experience leading through change within the LAPD and look forward to contributing that perspective to the ongoing reform efforts here in San Francisco. Above all else, it is my number one priority as incoming Chief to continue the critical work to keep San Francisco and all of its residents safe.”

During his 27 years on the Los Angeles Police Department in variety of roles, Scott rose through the ranks becoming Deputy Chief in 2015 after being promoted to Commander in 2012. Scott currently oversees and manages Los Angeles’ South Bureau. The South Bureau encompasses four geographic areas and three specialized entities, has more than 1,700 employees and serves a total of 639,924 residents and 58 square miles.

“The Police Commission is proud to endorse Mayor Lee’s appointment of Chief Bill Scott as San Francisco's next Police Chief,” said San Francisco Police Commission President Suzy Loftus. “Chief Scott is an experienced executive who we believe will inspire confidence and trust from San Francisco's many diverse communities while earning the respect of both sworn and civilian employees within the San Francisco Police Department. I am confident that he will help build on all of our efforts to create a 21st Century Police Department in our city."

Mayor Lee has allocated significant resources to the police department in recent years. In FY 2012-13, the Mayor implemented a Police Hiring Plan to grow the SFPD’s staffing to the charter mandated level of 1,971 full duty, sworn officers. Since the plan began, the department has added 210 net new police officers, and is projected to reach 1,971 by the end of the current fiscal year.