Committee Greenlights First Sheriff's Office Audit in 11 Years

San Francisco's Government Audit and Oversight Committee unanimously advanced a performance audit of the Sheriff's Office — the first comprehensive review in over a decade — while also approving new drone and less-lethal equipment for the department. All items passed 2-0, with Chair Jackie Fielder excused.

• Sheriff's Office faces its first performance audit since 2015, with overtime, staffing, and immigration policies in the crosshairs
• Sheriff wins approval for $250,000 drone-as-first-responder system and new pepper spray tearball grenade for jail operations
• Six lawsuit settlements advance to the full board without discussion or public comment

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A Decade Without Oversight: Sheriff's Office Audit Moves Forward

The basics: The committee approved a motion, sponsored by Supervisor Connie Chan, directing the Budget and Legislative Analyst to add a performance audit of the Sheriff's Office to its 2026 audit schedule. Board rules require each city program to be audited at least every eight years — but the Sheriff's Office hasn't had one in 11 years.

Why it matters: Overtime costs driven by collective bargaining staffing minimums have been a persistent budget pressure point for the department, raising questions about whether it can continue to stay within its general fund allocation without a supplemental.

Where things stand: Francis Shea, a staffer in Supervisor Connie Chan's office, presented the motion. Dan Goncher of the Budget and Legislative Analyst's Office provided context, noting the last performance audit was completed in June 2015 and covered workers' compensation and overtime.

"This specific audit motion, the conversation started with looking at overtime outside of the police department because the BLA conducted a police department overtime audit a few years ago and Sheriff's Office is one of the larger departments that has overtime," said Dan Goncher, Budget and Legislative Analyst staff.

Sheriff Miyamoto acknowledged the overtime challenge but pointed to recent progress. "Staffing minimums that are mandated by our collective bargaining agreement with both the Deputy Sheriff's Association and the Managing Supervisors Association are the main driving force behind the overtime," Sheriff Miyamoto said. He reported the department completed a nine-month internal review and has made significant reductions in recent pay periods, projecting the office will finish the fiscal year close to budget without needing a general fund supplemental.

The other side: The Sheriff flagged a practical concern about the audit's resource demands: "I'm currently down 29 supervisorial positions, lieutenants and sergeants, which would be the main group of individuals who would help with this type of audit."

Supervisor Stephen Sherrill pressed on whether the audit could push the department over a financial edge. "If they're kind of on the knife's edge, but still not increasing, needing a general fund supplementation, just want to make sure that we don't kind of incur some additional unnecessary costs," Supervisor Sherrill said, adding, "And that's not to say that this audit is unnecessary, I assure you." He expressed support for the audit as a trust-building exercise, particularly regarding the department's immigration-related operations.

Goncher sought to ease those concerns, explaining the BLA's approach to audited departments: "We try to be as light touch as we can. We do have access to the city's budget system … so we try to pull as much as we can from there and from things that are publicly available."

Decisions: The motion passed 2-0 (For: Supervisor Sauter, Supervisor Sherrill; Absent: Supervisor Fielder) and will go to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.

What's next: The BLA will incorporate the Sheriff's Office into its 2026 audit work plan. The motion heads to the full board for final approval.

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Sheriff Gains Drone and Less-Lethal Grenade Approvals

The basics: Sheriff Miyamoto presented the annual report on the department's Military Equipment Use Policy and sought approval for two new equipment platforms: a Drone-as-First-Responder system and an OC (oleoresin capsicum, commonly known as pepper spray) tearball grenade.

Why it matters: The drone program extends autonomous aerial surveillance capability — already deployed by SFPD — into the Sheriff's correctional operations at the San Bruno jail complex, including the new annex facility that provides outdoor recreation for inmates. The tearball grenade introduces a new delivery method for a chemical agent the department already carries.

Where things stand: The Sheriff described the drone system as mirroring SFPD's existing technology used with ARTEC, the city's real-time investigation center. The complete system — including drone, launcher, and rooftop housing unit — carries an estimated price tag of $250,000 per unit. The Sheriff said the program would serve dual purposes: augmenting the department's partnership with SFPD through ARTEC and enhancing security at the San Bruno facilities.

On the tearball grenade, the Sheriff emphasized it uses an already-approved chemical agent. "The capability of this is what is new. But the materials inside, which is O.C. oleoresin capsicum, which is pepper spray, is not new," Sheriff Miyamoto said. He noted the tearball is consistent with existing delivery systems for CS and CN gas already in the department's approved inventory.

Supervisor Sherrill asked about the $250,000 cost, and the Sheriff clarified it covers the entire integrated system, not just the aircraft. Sherrill also confirmed a key fiscal point: the resolution does not appropriate new money but authorizes purchases from existing funds. "Can I confirm that this resolution doesn't appropriate more money, but just allows the purchase of already approved technology from existing money?" Supervisor Sherrill asked. Sheriff Miyamoto confirmed.

Vice Chair Danny Sauter asked about the required community meeting. The Sheriff confirmed one was held Jan. 6 with a comprehensive public presentation. All other items in the annual report were described as replenishment of existing stock.

Decisions: The resolution passed 2-0 (For: Supervisor Sauter, Supervisor Sherrill; Absent: Supervisor Fielder) and heads to the full board with a positive recommendation.

What's next: The resolution goes to the full Board of Supervisors for final consideration.

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Minor Items

• Six lawsuit settlements (Items 3–8): Five ordinances and one resolution authorizing settlement of lawsuits and unlitigated claims against the city advanced without discussion or public comment, all passing 2-0. Items 3–7 head to the full board on the April 28, 2026 agenda; Item 8 was designated a committee report for the April 21, 2026 board meeting.