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

Four employees from the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability expressed dissatisfaction with director Paul Henderson's leadership in letters sent to city officials and the Police Commission. They allege mismanagement of budget cuts, specifically targeting experienced staff for layoffs while retaining higher-paid managerial roles. Janelle Caywood, a former policy director, threatened to sue after her recent firing, which has raised further concerns. Police Commission president C. Don Clay noted the increasing number of complaints and pledged to investigate the situation.

Henderson voiced his disappointment over the letters, claiming he strives to effectively represent the city. Supporters of Henderson argue that layoffs were beyond his control and label the criticism as unfair. The department meets legal staffing requirements, yet employees contend that excessive reliance on overtime highlights a staffing shortage. Investigator Vince Vela warned that further budget cuts could jeopardize the department's ability to meet mandated timelines for handling complaints.