SFPD previews $865 million base budget for FY2027; personnel costs drive increase

San Francisco Police Department Chief Financial Officer Kimmy Wu presented a preview of the department's fiscal year 2027 budget at the Jan. 21 Police Commission meeting, emphasizing personnel costs and hiring needs.

"For fiscal year 'twenty 7, the base budget is $865,000,000 across 6 main funds," Wu said. She attributed an approximate $16 million increase over the current fiscal year mainly to cost‑of‑living adjustments, sworn retention pay premiums and mandatory fringe benefits.

Wu said the personnel base is budgeted at 2,167 sworn members and that general fund personnel costs are projected at $637,000,000. She noted the department's year‑to‑date overtime is $42,000,000 and that the overtime budget — shown at $62,000,000 in the department's base — may be adjusted during negotiations with other city offices and the Police Officers Association. Wu also said hiring authority and final funded positions will not be finalized until July and that the POA memorandum of understanding expires June 30, 2026.

Commissioners asked for clarifications. Commissioner Tecky asked whether "neighborhood retail presence" referred to ambassadors or SFPD deployments; Wu said it refers to deployments in retail neighborhoods, including Union Square, and is distinct from ambassadors. On "violence reduction" measures, Chief Liu explained the department conducts targeted district responses in areas with retaliatory violence such as Bayview, Ingleside and Mission.

Wu said she will return to the commission on Feb. 11 for Part 2 of the budget presentation and that the department will continue to collaborate with the mayor's budget office ahead of the Board of Supervisors' adoption by July 31.

The commission did not take a budget vote Jan. 21; the presentation served as an informational preview.