Tell Mayor Lurie and BoS: Hands Off Independent Police Oversight
Call your Mayor
Call ONE of the Supervisors. Note: only one of these Supervisors represents you. Find out which one here.
Call Script
My name is __________. I am a constituent, and my zip code is _______. I am a member of Indivisible SF.
For Mayor Lurie:
I thanked you last week for reaffirming our Sanctuary City status. Now I’m asking you - do not remove Max Carter-Oberstone from the city's Police Commission.
For your Supervisor:
Please protect our independent police oversight and decline the mayor's request to fire Max Carter-Oberstone from the city’s Police Commission, a vocal advocate of police reform.
Background
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is attempting to remove Max Carter-Oberstone from the city's Police Commission, sparking controversy and raising questions about the independence of the civilian-led oversight body. This move has brought attention to the ongoing tensions between reform-minded commissioners and the mayor's office.
Max Carter-Oberstone, appointed by former Mayor London Breed, has been a vocal advocate for police reform on the commission[1]. He has:
- Pushed for limits on "pretextual stops" by police
- Publicly opposed several of Breed's administration's policy efforts
- Exposed a controversial practice by the former mayor to have commission appointees preemptively sign undated resignation letters[1]
Reasons for Attempted Remova
While Mayor Lurie's office has not publicly stated specific reasons for seeking Carter-Oberstone's resignation, several factors appear to be at play:
1. **Policy Disagreements**: Carter-Oberstone's reform-oriented stance may conflict with the new administration's approach to policing and public safety[1].
2. **Independence Concerns**: The commissioner has emphasized the importance of maintaining the Police Commission's independence, as mandated by the city charter[1].
3. **Political Pressure**: As a key vote for Lurie, the move to oust Carter-Oberstone suggests the mayor is seeking to assert control over the commission's direction[2].
Process and Timeline
- Lurie's office asked Carter-Oberstone to resign in a meeting, but he refused[1].
- The Board of Supervisors will hold a Committee of the Whole meeting on February 25, 2025, to consider the mayor's request to remove Carter-Oberstone[2].
- Under the City Charter, the mayor cannot remove an appointed police commissioner without the consent of a majority of the supervisors[2].
Implications
This attempted removal has broader implications for police oversight and reform in San Francisco:
- It highlights the tension between mayoral authority and the independence of oversight bodies.
- The outcome may influence the future direction of police reform efforts in the city.
- It has mobilized community advocates who support Carter-Oberstone's reform-oriented approach[2].
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Mayor Lurie will succeed in his effort to reshape the Police Commission or if Carter-Oberstone will retain his position until his term ends in 2026[2].
References
[1] Lurie Aims to Oust SF Police Commissioner Who Pushed for Reforms, Clashed With Breed https://www.kqed.org/news/12025784/lurie-aims-oust-sf-police-commissioner-pushed-reforms-clashed-breed
[2] Full board will hear Lurie’s attempt to fire pro-reform police commissioner https://48hills.org/2025/02/full-board-will-hear-luries-attempt-to-fire-pro-reform-police-commissioner/
[3] Will a Plan to Cut SFPD Command Staff Stop 'Revolving Door' of Top Brass? https://www.kqed.org/news/11961640/will-a-plan-to-cut-sfpd-command-staff-stop-revolving-door-of-top-brass-aaron-peskin
[4] Mayor Lurie Is Determined to Fire Police Commission VP Max Carter-Oberstone https://sfist.com/2025/02/05/mayor-lurie-is-determined-to-fire-police-commission-vp-max-carter-oberstone/
Lurie is trying to fire an independent police commissioner; maybe the chief is next https://48hills.org/2025/02/lurie-is-trying-to-fire-an-independent-police-commissioner-maybe-the-chief-is-next/
Mayor Lurie moves to boot outspoken police commissioner Max Carter-Oberstone https://missionlocal.org/2025/02/mayor-lurie-removes-max-carter-oberstone/
Mayor Daniel Lurie wants to remove an S.F. police commissioner who clashed with Breed https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/mayor-daniel-lurie-to-remove-an-s-f-commissioner-20147520.php