San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott’s Message to SFPD Officers 23-011(a)

I’d like to share with you two disturbing and unacceptable incidents of armed suspects resisting arrest with shots fired at or in the immediate vicinity of SFPD officers. In both incidents, the involved officers exhibited valor, courage, and reverence for the sanctity of human life in the way they responded to these life-threatening situations.

On January 23, 2023, SFPD officers assigned to CGIC were in the area of 100 Brookdale, investigating a suspect who was involved in multiple shooting incidents. After CGIC officers located the suspect and identified themselves, the suspect fled and pulled out a firearm. Officers reported that as the suspect swung his arm towards them, one of our officers began to grab the suspect and a shot was fired. The suspect was simultaneously tackled and disarmed. Officers took the suspect into custody and discovered he had multiple firearms and magazines in his possession.

In addition to the unacceptable violent resistance against our CGIC officers, there was a similar incident on January 17, 2023, just six days prior when Richmond Station officers responded to a call of a catalytic converter theft in progress. Responding officers located a vehicle with multiple suspects in the area of McAllister and Arguello. Officers reported that during the foot pursuit, one of the suspects fired multiple rounds at them. One suspect has been arrested. Our Burglary Unit is leading the investigation and SFPD officers are working tirelessly to locate and capture the remaining suspects, including the suspect that fired at officers.

I am extremely proud of the work of officers assigned to Richmond Station, Park Station, the Tactical and Specialist Teams, HNT, and the Canine Unit who worked together to resolve the incident in the Richmond District. These officers acted courageously and with valor. I am also thankful for the support of the U.S. Park Police.

The officers assigned to CGIC also acted with valor as they faced life-threatening circumstances, maintained their composure, and took the suspect into custody using a minimal amount of force even after a shot was fired. Thank you for your courageous work and thank you to the officers from Ingleside and Taraval Station that responded as backup.

The work that you do day in and day out to resolve life-threatening situations and to take dangerous people off of our streets oftentimes goes unheralded and does not get the credit it deserves. Please know that I, the entire command staff, and the vast majority of people in the City appreciate you and the work you do daily.

Thank you to all our members who continue to serve the City with honor, professionalism, and bravery!

Keep each other safe,

Bill