San Francisco police face a critical shortage of 500 officers as crime concerns surge, forcing taxpayers to foot a $108 million overtime bill while leftist policies have decimated law enforcement morale and recruitment efforts.
Key Takeaways
- San Francisco Police Department is short 500 officers while the Sheriff’s Department lacks 200 deputies, severely hampering public safety efforts
- The city spent $108 million on police overtime in 2022-2023 due to staffing shortages, with another $91 million recently approved
- Mayor Daniel Lurie’s plan includes allowing retired officers to return without losing pensions and streamlining the hiring process
- Staffing shortages have led to slower emergency response times and reduced police presence in neighborhoods
- Law enforcement recruitment has been challenging nationwide since the anti-police movement gained momentum following George Floyd’s death in 2020
Critical Staffing Crisis in San Francisco Law Enforcement
San Francisco’s law enforcement agencies are operating at “historically low” staffing levels, creating a public safety emergency that Mayor Daniel Lurie is attempting to address through executive action. The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) currently has fewer than 1,500 full-duty officers—more than 500 below recommended staffing levels. Similarly, the Sheriff’s Office is short nearly 200 deputies. This severe understaffing has created a cascade of public safety issues in a city already struggling with rampant crime, drug use, and homelessness after years of progressive policies that have prioritized criminal rights over public safety.
“Right now, San Francisco has fewer than 1,500 full-duty police officers, more than 500 below the recommended staffing level. The Sheriff’s Office is short nearly 200 deputies. That means fewer officers and deputies walking our neighborhoods, slower response times and a growing dependence on costly and unsustainable overtime,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie, Mayor of San Francisco.
The staffing crisis has forced the city to rely heavily on overtime, costing taxpayers a staggering $108 million in the 2022-2023 fiscal year alone. Despite this enormous expenditure, the situation has only deteriorated, with the Board of Supervisors recently approving an additional $91 million for overtime costs. This unsustainable financial burden comes as San Francisco continues to experience business closures and a commercial real estate collapse due to out-of-control crime and homelessness that liberal policies have allowed to flourish for years.
Mayor’s Multi-Phase Plan to Rebuild Law Enforcement
Mayor Lurie’s executive order outlines a phased approach to address the staffing crisis, with specific actions planned over 100 days, six months, and one year. The immediate 100-day initiatives include programs to bring retired officers back to duty without penalizing their pensions, streamlining the hiring process, reforming police academy operations, and expanding technology use to enhance officer efficiency. This pragmatic approach acknowledges that years of anti-police rhetoric and policies from the city’s progressive leadership have devastated recruitment efforts.
“We have been living on overtime, and that is not sustainable. We’re fortunate that we have the overtime and that the Board and the mayor has granted us that funding to fill in the gaps, but we know that’s not a sustainable model,” said former Police Chief Bill Scott, San Francisco Police Department.
The plan specifically addresses the need to bring back experienced officers who left during the anti-police climate that has dominated San Francisco politics. A key component allows retired officers to return to duty without sacrificing their hard-earned pensions, providing an immediate influx of experienced personnel while longer-term recruitment efforts build momentum. This practical approach stands in stark contrast to the defunding and demoralization policies that have characterized San Francisco’s approach to law enforcement in recent years.
When public safety is a core function of government and we’re short 500 police officers for a city our size, we must get creative. Relying on overtime is not an option. That’s why I’m supporting Mayor Lurie’s executive directive to address our public safety staffing crisis.
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— Joel Engardio (@JoelEngardio) May 13, 2025
Audit Reveals Overtime Abuse and Management Problems
A recent audit of the SFPD revealed serious management issues that have exacerbated the staffing crisis. The investigation found violations of overtime limits and potential sick leave abuse, prompting Mayor Lurie to order an investigation into employment practices. Additionally, the audit raised concerns about the department’s “10(b)” program, which allows officers to work as private security while on the city payroll. This program has diverted officers away from public safety duties toward protecting private businesses desperate for security in the crime-ridden city.
“These shortfalls have significantly strained these departments’ ability to fulfill their core responsibilities,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie, Mayor of San Francisco.
The mayor’s six-month actions include a thorough review of SFPD’s employment practices, with particular focus on overtime management and the controversial “10(b)” program. The plan also proposes moving officers from administrative roles to patrol duties and using civilian personnel for administrative tasks—a common-sense approach that would immediately increase police presence on the streets. Additionally, the city plans to coordinate with community business districts and private companies to more effectively distribute public safety resources, acknowledging that businesses have been forced to provide their own security due to the city’s failure to maintain order.
Addressing the Legacy of Anti-Police Sentiment
The current staffing crisis didn’t happen overnight. It’s the direct result of years of progressive policies that have demonized police, promoted lawlessness, and prioritized criminal rights over public safety. Recruitment has been especially difficult since 2020, when the death of George Floyd sparked nationwide anti-police sentiment that was particularly virulent in leftist strongholds like San Francisco. This toxic environment has driven experienced officers to retire early or seek positions in jurisdictions that actually support law enforcement.
“All retirees, hear me clearly. You won’t have to give up your pensions. You can come and work, help the safety in this city and still make a little money on the side and help our deployment situation,” said former Police Chief Bill Scott, San Francisco Police Department.
While Mayor Lurie’s initiative represents a step in the right direction, it faces the enormous challenge of overcoming years of anti-police propaganda and policies. The success of the plan will ultimately depend on whether San Francisco’s leadership is truly committed to rebuilding its law enforcement agencies and restoring public safety, or if this is merely a temporary response to public outcry. What’s clear is that the city’s residents and businesses have paid a steep price for the progressive experiment that has left their streets unsafe and their police departments severely undermanned.
