Mayor Ed Lee sounds off on search for new police chief

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) -- Mayor Ed Lee said he strongly supports the city's acting chief, Toney Chaplin, as the search for a permanent chief is underway.  

During a Facebook live event Lee told KTVU's Dave Clark "More than strongly, he is my chief. And while we're looking and searching I'm going to do everything I can to support Chief Chaplin's management of this police department."

The comments were made during a meeting on Aug. 11, 2016 of the San Francisco Interfaith Council, which heard a presentation from acting Police Chief Toney Chaplin.

Former Police Chief Greg Suhr resigned the job in May following the fatal shooting of a black woman in the city's Bayview District.

Following that incident, Mayor Lee appointed Chaplin, a deputy chief, as the department's acting chief until a permanent hire could be made.

The San Francisco Police Commission is looking for community and residents' input as the city searches for its next police chief.

The commission is holding a series of community meetings to gather input from residents and asked participants to complete an online survey for feedback