Suhr Selected As New San Francisco Police Chief
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) — Mayor Ed Lee has selected Captain Greg Suhr to become the new Chief of the San Francisco Police Department, CBS 5 has learned.
Suhr, who was assigned to the Bayview District, is a veteran of the department and has been described as popular among officers. But Suhr has also seen his share of scandal.
In 2003, Suhr was charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice in the notorious "Fajitagate" scandal, when three off-duty officers were accused of beating up two men over a bag of fajitas. Suhr was cleared of any wrongdoing.
In 2005, former Chief Heather Fong stripped his title as Head of Patrol after an officer was beaten and suffered a fractured skull responding to a protest. Suhr was reassigned to head security for the city's Public Utilities Commission.
KCBS' Holly Quan Reports
Suhr was demoted from Deputy Chief to Captain in 2009 by Fong, amid accusations he failed to report a domestic violence attack of a personal friend. It was later revealed the friend suffered a broken shoulder. Her attacker was ultimately arrested and charged with attempted murder. Suhr had been rumored to be Fong's replacement.
Despite these controversies, Suhr is credited for a 50 percent drop in homicides in the Bayview neighborhood.
KCBS and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier Comments:
Suhr replaces Interim Chief Jeff Godown, who replaced George Gascon when he became District Attorney in January.
Suhr will be sworn in as chief Wednesday morning.
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