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

Four employees at San Francisco's Department of Police Accountability declared a lack of confidence in director Paul Henderson, alleging mismanagement of budget cuts and a toxic workplace. They criticized Henderson for laying off an experienced investigator while retaining less critical managerial staff. Janelle Caywood, a former policy director who authored one of the letters, threatened legal action after her abrupt firing. C. Don Clay, president of the Police Commission, noted the seriousness of the complaints and plans to investigate the situation.

Despite Henderson's disappointment over the criticism, some employees defend him, claiming the layoffs were not his decision. The department is currently meeting legal staffing requirements but employees argue that reliance on overtime indicates a need for more investigators. Concerns over increasing workloads and mistakes were raised during public testimonies at Police Commission meetings. The outcome of the investigation could impact future departmental policies and employee morale.