Rules Committee recommends appointment of Lt. Leonard Poggio to Entertainment Commission

Lieutenant Leonard Poggio, a 22-year San Francisco Police Department officer, appeared before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee on March 18 to be considered for the mayor’s nomination to Seat 7 on the Entertainment Commission (term to 07/01/2026). Poggio described himself as a lifelong San Franciscan, a product of the city’s public schools and said his top priorities would be to balance the needs of nightlife small businesses with public-safety concerns and to foster communication between the police and the commission.

Supervisor Safai framed the position as “extremely important” and asked Poggio about prior violent incidents in his district, including a security-guard homicide and other nightclub shootings. Poggio said enforcement should be measured: identify whether violence at an establishment is an outlier, require working cameras and strengthened security plans, and — where problems persist — move to close noncompliant venues. He said he would encourage monthly meetings between SFPD permit officers and the Entertainment Commission to address problems proactively.

Three public speakers who said they know Poggio endorsed his nomination. Lieutenant Pat McCormick described Poggio as “conscientious” and able to make difficult licensing decisions; Brandon Scale and Bassi Obot provided long-standing personal and professional endorsements.

Chair Shamann Walton moved to appoint Poggio to Seat 7 and to send the nomination to the full Board with a positive recommendation. The committee amended the legislation to remove inconsistent language (to delete references to ‘rejecting throughout’), then voted with Supervisors Engadio, Safai and Vice Chair Walton recorded as ‘Aye.’ The motion passed without objection.

The nomination will now be considered by the full Board of Supervisors at a later date.