SFPD Chief Bill Scott stepping down after 8 years, accepts job in Los Angeles
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott will be stepping down to pursue a new opportunity after over eight years in the role, he said in an emotional announcement alongside Mayor Daniel Lurie Wednesday.
Chief Scott will stay with the department until late June. His departure ends speculation of whether Lurie would bring his own police chief, after campaigning on public safety and promises to bring reforms to city hall leadership. But five months into Lurie's mayorship, Scott stayed around. The two leaders offered praise for one another at Wednesday's press conference.
"My departure comes at a time of great momentum in the SFPD and in our city, under the leadership of Mayor Daniel Lurie, and I fully expect that this momentum will not only continue but get even better," Scott said.
"Facing a significant officer shortage, he has led the way in leveraging modern technology effectively and responsible and responsibly to prevent crime and catch criminals," Lurie said. "He has implemented important reforms that have helped the department build trust with communities and improve public safety outcomes."
Choking up during his remarks, Scott thanked his wife - reflecting on a moment nearly 30 years ago where he told her that he wanted to work in San Francisco.
"We didn't know anything about this town except for I wanted to be here, because it is that kind of city," he said. "Some things are just meant to be."
WATCH: SFPD Chief Bill Scott announces he's stepping down
The city's police union congratulated the chief on his retirement, while acknowledging they didn't always see eye to eye.
"While we may not have always agreed on issues, we valued and respected each other's roles. We always believed that each of us was doing what we felt was best for public safety and best for our officers, and that we were committed to hiring and retaining the best officers for the SFPD," said Tracy McCray, president of the San Francisco Police Officers' Association.
Scott was appointed by Mayor Ed Lee and officially sworn in as chief in January of 2017 - taking over from Interim Chief Toney Chaplin, who filled the role after previous permanent Chief Greg Suhr resigned in May 2016.
Prior to that, Scott had been Deputy Chief for LAPD and had 27 years of experience with that department.
Now, the city's top cop will return to Los Angeles. On Wednesday afternoon, Chief Scott announced in an email to SFPD that he will be joining the LA Metro Transit Community Public Safety Department as its first Chief of Police and Chief of Emergency Management. He says he will be building the department from the ground up.
"To be entrusted with building a brand new public safety department from ground up, this is the kind of opportunity that doesn't often come around. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity in my mind," Scott said in Los Angeles later Wednesday. "This is about creating something truly meaningful."
VIDEO: SFPD Chief Bill Scott announced as new police chief of LA Metro
What comes next for the San Francisco Police Department?
Paul Yep - who is currently the Chief of Public Safety for the mayor's office - will take over as interim chief on Monday, until the city finds a new permanent head of SFPD. Yep is a former police commander with the department.
The mayor said this process will take about six weeks, and he will have the ultimate authority when it comes to choosing the city's next police chief. The San Francisco Police Commission will choose three finalists for Lurie to pick from; but he theoretically could reject all of those names and ask the commission to bring forth new options.
Yep shutdown the possibility of him staying in this role, telling reporters at Wednesday's press conference he will not be a candidate for permanent chief.
"I am 100% committed to keeping this department on the right track and serving as a bridge to our next chief," he said.
It's long been speculated that Assistant Chief David Lazar could be Scott's successor, but Lazar previously announced he will retire at the end of May. Lazar told ABC7 News on Wednesday that he is continuing with his plans for retirement to spend time with his family and look for another opportunity somewhere else.
Lazar said he hopes the next leader will continue to focus on reform and "embrace technology." He said that Scott's decision was "very difficult for him," but wasn't surprised to see Los Angeles trying to get Scott back.
"Given his resume and experience - he's obviously very sought after in world of police leadership," Lazar said.
