The race for California’s top cop focuses on abortion, gun control and crime
SAN FRANCISCO — In the latest battleground in the 2016 elections, San Francisco Police Chief Greg Masko seeks to win voters’ trust and become his opponent’s biggest challenge.
Masko, 49, a former Marine Corps captain who is in his first month on the job, is being challenged by former prosecutor and current San Francisco District Attorney John Fogarty, 47.
A record-breaking number of women are seeking to get themselves elected to the San Francisco Police Commission, and this year, will be the first time in 30 years that the race is not dominated by the top two vote-getters, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. For the first time in more than a decade, there are no women running in the top three spots on the 11-member Police Commission.
The Police Commission is the civilian arm of the police department and its only elected officials — with the exceptions of the police chief and city attorney. Its three members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
In the weeks before the Nov. 2 election, the candidates have been touting their priorities and how they differ in the ways they approach the issues of law enforcement and public safety.
In a speech, Masko said he has focused on reducing crime and improving police-community relations. He said he has set his priorities and priorities he has pursued with his wife, Donna.
He cited improving the culture within the department, reducing crime and decreasing the citywide homicide rate to just 5.5 per 100,000 residents, as his top priorities.
“I’ve focused on the most serious problems, and the most immediate and urgent problems,” he said. “I’ve been able to fix those problems.”
Fogarty said he has focused on his experience as a prosecutor, and improving the relationship between the police and the community.
“I have a background in the law,” he said.
While Mas