Some S.F. police watchdog workers say theyve lost confidence in leader

Four employees from the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability sent letters to city officials expressing their lack of confidence in director Paul Henderson's leadership. The letters criticized Henderson's handling of budget cuts, claiming he targeted a skilled investigator for layoffs while retaining higher-paid managerial staff. Janelle Caywood, a former policy director who authored one of the letters, threatened legal action following her abrupt termination. Police Commission president C. Don Clay expressed concern over the increasing number of employee complaints and announced plans for an investigation.

Henderson defended his leadership, emphasizing the difficulties of the role and his commitment to the agency's mission. Supporters of Henderson contend that the layoffs were beyond his influence and describe the accusations as attempts to undermine his leadership. The Department of Police Accountability is tasked with investigating police misconduct and ensuring sufficient staffing to meet oversight requirements. Complaints from employees indicate a demanding work environment that could jeopardize their ability to meet legally mandated timelines.