Hours after a San Francisco police officer fatally shot an unarmed Black woman, Thursday, Mayor Ed Lee urged for the resignation of SF Police Chief Greg Suhr, SF Gate reports.
“I have previously expressed confidence in Chief Suhr because I know he agrees with and understands the need for reform,” said Lee at a press conference Thursday. “But following this morning’s officer-involved shooting and my meeting with Chief Suhr this afternoon, today I have arrived at a different conclusion to the question of how best to move forward.”
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Adding that, “the progress we have made has been meaningful, but it hasn’t been fast enough, not for me and not for Greg, and that’s why I have asked Chief Suhr for his resignation,” explained Lee.
The request for Chief’s Suhr’s resignation comes after a sergeant shot and killed an unarmed 27-year old Black woman. Two police officers had come across the woman in a suspected stolen sedan. Before the officers could question her, she had driven off and crashed into a utility truck.
The Associated Press details the events that led to her death stating that,“The officers jumped out of the patrol car and raced to the wreckage, where the woman was revving the car in an effort to disengage the auto from the truck. Suhr said a witness reported that the officers opened the driver’s door and began grabbing the woman in attempt to arrest her. At that point, a sergeant fired one fatal round.”
Lee has named deputy chief Toney Chaplin as acting Police Chief.
The resignation of former Chief Suhr comes following a series of controversy involving allegations of racism and racial profiling in the San Fransicso Police Department.
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