New Report Shows Which Companies are Hiring the Most SF Cops, Sometimes Taking Them Off the Regular Beat

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors approved tens of millions in overtime for SFPD officers, citing staffing shortages. The 10B program allows officers to work private security at overtime rates, which has come under fire after an audit revealed many officers called in sick while working private gigs. Walgreens topped the list of employers for SFPD officers, with the SF Giants and Lululemon also hiring significant hours. Critics, including Supervisor Shamann Walton, expressed concern that this practice diverts officers from neighborhoods experiencing high crime rates, like the Mission District. The SFPD claims that officers working privately help enhance security in the community.

However, reports indicate that over 50,000 hours of security work occurred despite many officers being ineligible due to high sick leave usage. Walton highlighted the issue as unacceptable and called for more accountability. The ongoing debate raises questions about police resource allocation and public safety in San Francisco.