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

Employees at the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability have declared a lack of confidence in director Paul Henderson, primarily citing his handling of budget cuts and allegations of a hostile work environment. In four letters sent to city officials, they argued that budget cuts unfairly targeted experienced staff while preserving higher-paid managerial positions. Former policy director Janelle Caywood, who threatened legal action following her dismissal, authored one of the letters. Employees described their work environment as retaliatory and oppressive, a situation they believe Henderson has failed to address. Police Commission president C.

Don Clay acknowledged the seriousness of the complaints and intends to investigate further. Henderson expressed disappointment in the criticism and defended his leadership, asserting that layoffs were out of his hands. The Department of Police Accountability employs one investigator for every 150 police officers, complying with regulations despite staff shortages. Employees warned that further cuts could risk their ability to meet legally mandated timelines for investigations.