San Francisco police boss quits hours after unarmed black woman shot dead

San Francisco’s police chief has resigned at the request of the city’s mayor, hours after a black woman was shot dead by an officer. Greg Suhr’s resignation was announced at a news conference by mayor Ed Lee, who said he hoped to “heal the city” which has been rocked by racial tensions. Hours earlier, Mr Suhr had told reporters the 27-year-old woman was killed after she ignored orders to stop her vehicle. Although no weapon was found on the woman and her car crashed and became wedged under a truck, a police sergeant killed her with a single shot.

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

Mayor Ed Lee

The shooting took place amid heightened tensions between San Francisco’s police department and African Americans over a number of racially charged incidents in the city. The police department has been under intense scrutiny following the fatal shooting of Mario Woods in December and Luis Gongora in April. It has also been embroiled in controversy over racist and homophobic text messages exchanged among officers. Mr Lee named Toney Chaplin, a veteran with 26 years on the force, as acting police chief.

This shows the power of the people and the community. When we come together with love justice, the power for justice is inevitable. This battle is a victory, but the fight for justice continues, making sure the next chief is one accountable to the community and that the necessary reforms are implemented

Campaigner Edwin Lindo, who went on hunger strike to force Mr Suhr’s resignation

greg suhr