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

Four employees from the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability have formally declared a lack of confidence in director Paul Henderson's leadership in letters sent to city officials. They allege that Henderson mishandled budget cuts by laying off experienced staff while preserving higher-paid managerial positions, contributing to a hostile work environment. Janelle Caywood, a former policy director and letter author, threatened legal action following her abrupt dismissal. C. Don Clay, president of the Police Commission, expressed surprise at Caywood's firing and plans to investigate the situation due to the rising number of employee complaints.

Supporters of Henderson claim that the accusations are unfair and stem from a small group of disgruntled workers. This unrest follows a history of mismanagement within the department, which Henderson inherited after the ousting of former director Joyce Hicks. The department, designed to oversee police misconduct, currently meets mandated staffing levels, but employees argue that reliance on overtime obscures a need for more investigators. The situation raises critical questions about leadership effectiveness and employee well-being in the context of public safety oversight.