In a significant turning point for the San Francisco Police Officers Association, Officer Louis Wong emerged victorious in the recent elections, securing the presidency with a decisive margin of 689 votes against his opponent’s 398. This marks a historic moment, as Wong will be the first Asian American to hold the position in the union’s history.
Wong’s campaign was notably straightforward, with a clear focus on advocating for increased salaries for San Francisco police officers. Despite the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) already offering some of the highest salaries in the nation, Wong aims to elevate compensation further, aspiring to make the department one of the most highly paid in the country.
Currently, starting salaries for SFPD officers are set at $119,262 annually. After seven years, officers can earn up to $164,164. Promotions further increase salary potential, with sergeants earning $176,462, lieutenants at $201,474, and captains receiving up to $254,592. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, 872 individuals within the department had earnings exceeding $300,000.
In fact, Wong himself was among the top earners in the department, ranking fifth overall. Between July 2022 and June 2023, he amassed a staggering total pay of $481,910, excluding benefits. This amount is significantly higher than the salary of the chief of police at the time, and a considerable portion of Wong’s income stemmed from overtime, making up approximately two-thirds of his total pay in 2024.
As the SFPD grapples with ongoing problems regarding its overtime spending, the department has recently come under scrutiny. An audit conducted in 2024 revealed that overtime expenditures had more than doubled over the past five years due to potential misuse and inadequate internal controls. Both progressive and moderate supervisors voiced their concerns about the department’s overtime practices during a city hearing earlier this year, pointing out the necessity for reform. Despite these complaints, the Board of Supervisors approved a request for an additional $61 million in overtime funding for the department last May.
Wong is stepping into the union’s top role following former president Tracy McCray’s departure in June, when she was elevated from lieutenant to commander by acting chief Paul Yep. McCray has publicly endorsed Wong, providing him with additional support in his campaign. His opponent, union vice president Kevin Worrell, suffered a clear defeat in the elections.
Wong has an extensive background within the SFPD, having served as a police officer for 30 years and being a member of the Police Officers Association since 1995. He has also previously held a position on the SFPD’s Tenderloin task force. However, his career has not been entirely unblemished; Wong has faced allegations of misconduct on two occasions and was involved in a lawsuit against the department.
In 2002, complaints by two women led to a finding by the Office of Citizen Complaints that Wong had berated them and neglected his duties, using inappropriate language. Despite these findings, disciplinary action was not taken within the mandated timeline. In 2000, a lawsuit against Wong and another officer was settled by the city attorney for $175,000, although the specifics surrounding the lawsuit remain unclear.
Addressing concerns regarding police accountability, Wong has expressed the need for reform in the Department of Police Accountability. He advocates for limiting anonymous complaints against officers, indicating a desire to reshape how citizen grievances are handled.
In addition to pushing for salary increases, Wong has ambitions to broaden healthcare options for police officers, enhance recruitment strategies, and lower the retirement age from 58 to 55. Implementing the latter would necessitate a voter-approved ballot measure, a proposal that had previously failed in the last November election.
Prior to the union election, Wong provided insights into several local policies, including his support of Proposition E, which grants additional freedom for police pursuits. Although he generally backed the measure, he acknowledged that the city’s dense population often complicates car chases.
In 2023, Wong also submitted a letter to the police commission voicing his opposition to the restriction of pretext stops, a practice singled out for its racially biased implications.
Hailing from a family with deep roots in San Francisco—his family has owned a liquor store in Potrero Hill since the 1960s—Wong stated that witnessing crime near his childhood home was a significant motivator for his choice to pursue a career in public safety.
Wong’s campaign garnered numerous endorsements from figures within the police department and also drew attention from prominent community members. Notably, venture capitalist Garry Tan expressed his support for Wong on social media. Mayor Daniel Lurie also praised Wong in a video, recalling an incident where Wong went out of his way to help repair a man’s wheelchair, highlighting his commitment to community service.
As Wong prepares to assume his new role as president of the San Francisco Police Officers Association, his leadership promises to focus on both improving officer welfare and addressing longstanding departmental challenges.
image source from：missionlocal
