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, declaring a lack of confidence in director Paul Henderson's leadership. The letters criticized Henderson's management of budget cuts, alleging he targeted experienced staff while retaining higher-paid managerial positions. Employees also reported a hostile work environment, citing retaliation and mistreatment from middle management, which they claim Henderson failed to address. Former policy director Janelle Caywood, who authored one of the letters, threatened legal action following her dismissal. In response to the growing number of complaints, Police Commission president C.

Don Clay announced plans for an investigation, acknowledging the seriousness of employees voicing concerns publicly. Henderson expressed disappointment over the criticism and defended his leadership, while colleagues described the accusations as unfair and disingenuous. The department currently employs 11 investigators for 1,500 police officers, raising concerns about staffing shortages and the ability to meet legal timelines. Employees argue that further budget cuts would exacerbate these issues, jeopardizing civilian oversight.