S.F. police chief resigns in wake of black woman's shooting
Hours after a San Francisco police officer fatally shot a black woman, Police Chief Greg Suhr resigned at the request of Mayor Ed Lee, the San Francisco Police Department confirmed.
The news comes after a San Francisco police officer earlier Thursday shot dead an unarmed, 27-year-old black woman sitting behind the wheel of a stolen car. It also comes as the public still absorbs news about two scandals in the last 14 months involving racist and homophobic texts traded by police officers. The public also reacted after Mario Woods, a slashing suspect, died in December after being shot 20 times by police, including six times in the back.
Mayor Lee broke the news at a press conference Thursday afternoon, the police department confirmed.
Deputy Chief Toney Chaplin is now acting chief. Chaplin is a 26-year department veteran.
"For the last many months, every day, I have asked myself, 'Is the path to reform best advanced by our current department leadership?" the San Jose Mercury News reported Lee asked during an appearance with reporters.
"The progress we've made has been meaningful, but it hasn't been fast enough - not for me, not for Greg," Lee said. "That's why I have asked Chief Suhr for his resignation. And in the best interest of the city he loves so much, he tendered his resignation earlier today. Despite the political rhetoric of the past few weeks, I have nothing but profound admiration for Greg. He's a true public servant, and he will always have my respect."
One local official hailed Suhr's legacy and work, and said he hopes Thursday's actions help lead San Francisco to recovery.
"Greg Suhr has served San Francisco valiantly for over three decades," London Breed, president of the Board of Supervisors, said in a statement Thursday.
"I knew him when I was a child in the Western Addition, and he was a young narcotics officer working the beat," Breed said in the statement. "Greg was always respectful, always a servant of the community. I only hope his resignation today can help heal the wounds our community has suffered, and that all of us can dedicate ourselves to the police reforms Chief Suhr helped begin. May his departure be an opportunity at last for our city to come together, and for everyone, no matter their color or creed, to feel safe in our communities."