San Francisco Board initiates audit on police department overtime spending

San Francisco County officials have initiated a significant audit of the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) to address rising overtime costs and improve transparency in resource allocation. During a recent government meeting, the motion was introduced to direct the Budget and Legislative Analyst (BLA) to conduct a thorough review of the department's management and use of overtime.

The audit comes in response to alarming trends in overtime spending, which has surged from approximately $20 million in pre-COVID years to a projected $81 million this fiscal year. This increase has prompted the Board of Supervisors to allocate an additional $25 million to cover the department's expenses. Concerns were raised regarding the SFPD's compliance with city laws requiring prior approval for overtime expenditures, as well as the equitable distribution of resources across various neighborhoods.

Nick Menard from the BLA outlined the audit's objectives, which include evaluating the internal controls for overtime approval, assessing the department's policies against national best practices, and analyzing the effectiveness of new initiatives funded by overtime. The audit aims to provide a clearer understanding of how overtime is utilized, particularly in response to staffing shortages and new safety initiatives in areas like the Tenderloin and Union Square.

The anticipated timeline for the audit's completion is approximately six to eight months. Previous audits have led to positive changes, with the last review in 2018 resulting in a decrease in overtime usage over the following years. This new audit seeks to build on that progress, ensuring that the SFPD operates efficiently and transparently while addressing community safety needs.