As the President of the San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs' Association, I am witnessing firsthand the dire consequences of understaffing and a sluggish recruiting process within Sheriff Miyamoto's office. These issues are creating an increasingly unsafe environment and taking a toll on the wellbeing of our 600 deputy sheriffs. This pressing situation demands immediate and decisive action.

To attract more high-quality applicants and address our critical staffing shortages, we demand that Sheriff Miyamoto publicly commit to offering a Step 2 pay rate of $52.53 for entry-level deputy sheriffs. Currently, our department faces a staggering deficit of -200 Deputy Sheriffs, and without competitive compensation, we are failing to make the position attractive to potential recruits. Offering Step 2 pay would send a clear message that we value our deputies and are serious about addressing this crisis.

Moreover, the hiring process at the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office is alarmingly slow, taking anywhere from 9 to 16 months to hire a new deputy. This is unacceptable in our industry, where the average hiring timeline is 4 to 5 months. Despite knowing this, Sheriff Miyamoto continues to drag his feet, allowing this protracted process to persist. In stark contrast, the San Francisco Police Department has implemented a far more efficient hiring model, bringing new officers on board much faster. It’s time for Sheriff Miyamoto to stop slow-walking the process and take immediate steps to streamline hiring and address the critical staffing shortages we face.

Finally, we urge Sheriff Miyamoto to commit to hiring 100 new deputy sheriffs within the next six months. This is not just about numbers; it’s about restoring the safety of San Francisco's citizens and alleviating the undue pressure on our current deputies, who are struggling to meet the demands of their roles due to understaffing.

This petition is more than a call for fair salaries and a streamlined hiring process—it is a plea for the safety and security of our community. Sheriff Miyamoto must take urgent action to implement these measures. We need your support to make this change happen. Please sign this petition to advocate for the wellbeing and effectiveness of San Francisco's Deputy Sheriffs, and by extension, the safety of our entire city.

For more detailed information and to understand the full context, please refer to the following resources:

• San Francisco Sheriff's Office Faces Severe Staffing Crisis Due to Protracted Hiring Process and Lack of Support from City Leadership: Link
• Exposing the Lack of Action: How the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office is Failing Recruitment and Retention: Link
• Addressing the Inefficiency of the Sheriff’s Hiring Process Compared to the SFPD: Link

For more information, please contact:

Ken Lomba
President, San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs’ Association
415-696-2428