We’re pleased to report a positive development in our long-standing effort to update San Francisco’s Administrative Code to include clear recognition of the Sheriff’s Office. After months of internal review, the Sheriff’s Department has now taken a significant step forward.
Sheriff Refers Proposal to City Attorney
On September 24, Undersheriff Katherine Johnson informed us that the department’s legal team has completed its review of our proposed Administrative Code amendment. The Sheriff has now directed that the matter be sent to the Office of the City Attorney for formal drafting of legislative language.
“Once that is completed, someone will follow up with you.”
– Undersheriff Katherine Johnson
We commend the Sheriff’s Office for advancing this process and look forward to the next stage of collaboration.
What This Means
This action brings us closer to correcting a structural oversight: the absence of the Sheriff’s Office in the Administrative Code. Unlike Police and Fire, the operational responsibilities of San Francisco’s elected law enforcement agency are not formally codified in city law.
Our proposal seeks to fix that by defining the functions the Sheriff’s Office already performs under Penal Code § 830.1(a), the San Francisco Charter, and longstanding public safety practice. These include:
- Jail operations
- Law enforcement services
- Court security
- Emergency and mutual aid response
- Civil process enforcement
- Transportation of persons in custody
By placing these responsibilities in the Administrative Code, we strengthen institutional clarity and ensure legal consistency across the City’s public safety departments.
A Shared Path Forward
This step confirms that the Sheriff’s Office recognizes the value of codifying its role — not only for operational stability but for long-term transparency and accountability. We stand ready to assist the City Attorney as they begin crafting legislative language that reflects both the constitutional authority and the day-to-day realities of the Sheriff’s Office.
We believe this shared path will benefit the people of San Francisco and provide a stronger foundation for the professionals who serve under this Office every day.
Message to Our Members
To the members of the SFDSA: your voice, your work, and your service matter. This action is a direct result of continued advocacy and persistence. We believe this change will support your work and reinforce the legal structure behind your service.
To the public: we are committed to ensuring that our city’s elected law enforcement agency receives the same legal foundation as other departments. This is about fairness, function, and future readiness.
What’s Next
We will continue to monitor the drafting process and provide monthly updates to our members and the public as the City Attorney prepares formal language for introduction to the Board of Supervisors.
Our next public update will be issued in October 2025.
Thank you to Sheriff Miyamoto and his team for this important step forward. We look forward to working together in good faith to complete this process.
For questions or feedback, contact us at president@sanfranciscodsa.com