Employees at San Francisco’s Police Accountability Department Question Leadership

Four employees at the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability (DPA) have expressed a lack of confidence in the agency’s director, Paul Henderson, through letters addressed to the Police Commission, the police chief, and the city’s assistant chief of public safety. The letters raise concerns about Henderson’s management of recent budget cuts and allegations of harassment and retaliation within the department.

The situation escalated on Tuesday when Janelle Caywood, a former policy director and author of one of the letters, announced her intention to file a lawsuit following her abrupt dismissal from the agency. The DPA, which investigates citizen complaints regarding police misconduct, has faced scrutiny over its leadership and operational challenges since Henderson took the helm in 2017.

In their letters, Caywood and her colleagues criticized Henderson for targeting experienced staff for layoffs while retaining individuals in higher-paid managerial positions. They described a toxic work environment characterized by retaliation and mistreatment, which they attribute to Henderson’s inaction. Notably, six employees publicly expressed their concerns at Police Commission meetings in June and July, alleging they are overworked and requesting support to combat layoffs. While they did not mention Henderson directly, their grievances reflect a growing discontent within the agency.

C. Don Clay, president of the Police Commission, acknowledged the increasing number of employee complaints and indicated plans for an investigation. He expressed surprise at Caywood’s dismissal, stating, “Clearly there are issues of interest that we must address,” and emphasized the seriousness of employee concerns voiced in public forums.

Henderson responded to the criticism by stating he was disappointed to learn about the letters questioning his leadership. He remarked, “These are hard jobs, and we go through many difficult things here in the office. I try to do as good a job as I can to represent the city and represent our mission.” While some employees defend Henderson, calling the accusations “unfair” and “disingenuous,” others maintain that his leadership has failed to address ongoing issues.

The DPA is currently mandated to employ one investigator for every 150 police officers, which means it should have around ten investigators for the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), which has approximately 1,500 officers. Currently, the DPA employs eleven investigators, including one assigned to oversee sheriff’s cases. Despite this, employees contend that the department’s reliance on overtime to manage a staffing shortage indicates a need for more investigators.

On July 9, investigator Vince Vela addressed the Police Commission, highlighting the pressure facing the department. He stated, “Further cuts will jeopardize our ability to meet legally mandated timelines,” noting that he is the sole investigator handling complaints against the Sheriff’s Department. Vela stressed that civilian oversight cannot function effectively without sufficient investigator staffing.

Inside the department, employees have reported a lack of action from Henderson in response to concerns about a toxic work environment, which they believe has been exacerbated by a focus on hiring and promoting managerial roles over investigative positions. The firing of Caywood, who had been vocal about reform, raises further questions about Henderson’s management style and responsiveness to employee grievances.

Caywood has been at the forefront of pushing for reform within the DPA, filing multiple complaints regarding the management of the department. Following her termination, she is consulting legal counsel and considering a lawsuit against the agency. Her dismissal occurred shortly after she announced her intent to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding the agency’s handling of her claims.

Organizational changes under Henderson have drawn mixed reviews. His audit team has received several awards, and he has been credited with addressing longstanding issues related to police misconduct investigations. Nonetheless, the department has lost approximately 40 percent of its authorized positions since 2021, leading to significant anxiety among remaining staff.

While some employees express belief in Henderson’s intentions to foster a positive work environment, others argue he has failed to adequately manage challenges posed by certain middle managers. The letters sent to the Police Commission reveal discontent regarding Henderson’s decision-making, particularly concerning layoffs and the prioritization of executive-level positions over essential investigator roles.

Caywood’s departure from the DPA has left many employees in shock, particularly given her contributions to policy development and her efforts to foster communication between the police and oversight agency. Former colleagues have voiced their support for her and criticized the lack of transparency and responsiveness from Henderson’s administration.

As the situation at the DPA continues to unfold, employees are calling for greater accountability and support from leadership to address the pressing issues within the agency. The outcome of ongoing investigations by the Police Commission and the actions taken in response to employee concerns could have lasting implications for the transparency and effectiveness of police oversight in San Francisco.