Mattie Scott, a gun-violence-prevention activist, will be Mayor Daniel Lurie’s choice to replace ousted reformist police commissioner Max Carter-Oberstone, according to several sources.
Scott (no relation to Police Chief William Scott) has considerable expertise in community organizing around gun violence. She has pushed for reinvestigations into homicide cold cases and supported gun buy-back programs, accountability for irresponsible gun sellers and dealers, and community violence intervention programs.
What Scott does not have, at least according to several Black community advocates who backed the ousted Carter-Oberstone, is specific expertise in police departments and how they function.
“Given the qualifications of the two people, there’s a vast difference,” said Cheryl Thornton, co-chair of the Harriet Tubman African American Democratic Club. “I don’t see the legal background or the labor background.”
Scott is the president of gun control group Brady United and the founder of Healing 4 Our Families & Our Nation, a violence prevention organization. She writes and speaks about her personal connection to these issues; her youngest son, George Scott, was shot and killed almost 30 years ago at a graduation party in San Francisco.
Mattie Scott has received several awards for advocacy in her neighborhood and beyond. She has served with local groups like the San Francisco Chief of Police African American Police Advisory Forum, and has been recognized by high-profile California Democrats like Kamala Harris and Nancy Pelosi.
“She turned her agony into action, working to save lives from the scourge of gun violence,” Pelosi wrote in 2023.
“Couldn’t be a better person,” said the Rev. Amos Brown, a member of the African American Reparation Advisory Committee, regarding Scott’s selection. The reverend, who noted that he had baptized Scott’s murdered son, said that Scott would exercise common sense, be balanced, and pay attention to police reform.
He had “nothing but praise” for the activist he said had always been committed to her community and concerned about its people. In interviews with the San Francisco Chronicle, other activists echoed Brown.
Brian Hofer, a reform activist and Carter-Oberstone supporter, said he felt Scott was “qualified on paper” and that she had the subject-matter expertise needed for the role as someone personally affected by gun violence. Not everyone needs to be a lawyer or civil rights advocate, he added.
Hofer’s only concern, he said, stems from the fact that Lurie removed a commissioner who acted independently. “Does that mean she won’t be that?” he asked.
Others, however, worry that Scott could become a “yes person” for the mayor because of her lack of experience on policing issues that aren’t directly related to gun control or homicide investigations. Carter-Oberstone, in contrast, is an attorney who has studied police reform, an applicable skill in a body meant to oversee the police department.
A police commissioner, said Thornton, must be able to analyze data regarding the disproportionate impact of policing on Black residents. They must be able to understand union contracts and the complicated disciplinary process for police officers who violate protocol. They must have knowledge of the 272 reform initiatives the Department of Justice ordered the SFPD to adopt. As volunteers, commissioners are not given support staff.
Scott did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Lurie’s team also did not respond to requests for comment.
The outspoken Carter-Oberstone notably sparred with his appointing authority, Mayor London Breed, who both appointed and re-appointed him to the Police Commission. In a letter to the Board of Supervisors announcing his intent to oust Carter-Oberstone, Lurie wrote that he would seek a replacement “who will work collaboratively to make our city safer.” The supervisors sided with Lurie in a 9-2 vote. Multiple supervisors and community members said that Lurie privately told them Carter-Oberstone had been rude and disrespectful to his staff, which Carter-Oberstone denied.
While the mayor can unilaterally fire the chief of police, the replacement must be drawn from a list of names advanced to the mayor by the Police Commission. This is usually a formality, as four of the seven commissioners are appointed by the mayor and customarily receive direction, on issues both great and small, from the mayor’s office. But Breed and Carter-Oberstone’s public break in 2022 vastly altered the status quo.
Former SFPD captain Yulanda Williams, who spoke at a rally Monday in support of Carter-Oberstone, said her reaction to hearing about Scott’s appointment was “shock” and “disbelief.”
Scott, Williams said, is a “wonderful community activist” whom she respects. Still, Williams worried that Scott does not have the technical know-how required for the job by the time her term was over; the “learning curve is far too great.” With the city’s public safety on the line, “Are we willing to risk it?” the former captain asked.
“We need qualified people of color in commissioners’ seats,” Williams added.
“I’m appalled,” said Paulette Brown, who has attended police commission meetings since her son was shot and killed in 2006. Brown, who also spoke at the rally in support of Carter-Oberstone, said she rarely sees Scott attend the meetings.
On Wednesday evening, Scott was seated at the end of the first row of chairs set up in City Hall for San Francisco’s Black History Month Closing Ceremony, attendees said.
In front of the standing-room-only crowd gathered around City Hall’s marble staircase, Lurie presented Scott with a certificate of honor for her advocacy work.
Scott, in her acceptance speech, thanked Lurie and other city officials for their love and support of her advocacy. She also recognized the female leaders who had come before her.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us,” she told the crowd. “It’s about all of us and none of us”
How about we give her the benefit of doubt? She has a good background and she hasn’t even started the job yet. Why judge her before we see what she does at the commission? Let’s also give Lurie a brake. It’s been only weeks since he took office, and as far as I can see he hasn’t done anything illegal by removing CO. People voted for him because they want something different. So let’s see.
Scott will initially serve out the balance of a term that lasts until April 2026. If somehow it turns out that she’s a poor choice, then the Mayor can select someone else to replace her then. If she’s incompetent or problematic like Carter-Oberstone turned out to be, the Mayor can remove her and ask the Board of Supervisors to confirm that. The idea that Scott is a risky choice is not well-founded.
It’s already clear she has zero related experience so I’m not sure what you’re “founding” your confidence on exactly, other than wanting to publicly support Lurie for whatever reason. The only thing problematic about CO was not kissing the ring, and that’s only problematic if you understand that it’s supposed to be an independent and apolitical commission doing serious work, not carrying water for a mayor’s agenda. If you don’t get that, then anyone at all is a fine choice.
I looked at Max Carter-Oberstone’s LinkedIn and it doesn’t appear that he had any specific expertise in police departments and how they function when he was appointed to the Police Commission. He had been on the board of an anti-death penalty group for less than 2 years (California has had a death penalty moratorium since 2019) and involved with a litigation project out of NYU for less than a year. (The appellate case highlighted on his LinkedIn for this project involved regulatory agencies and when they need a warrant in order to conduct inspections at businesses.) His professional work as an attorney seems to have centered on civil work. Even after Carter-Oberstone’s removal, there are 4 other lawyers on the Police Commission, including a retired judge. The City Charter only requires one lawyer or retired judge. For example, Jesus Yanez, a current commissioner appointed by the Board of Supervisors, is a non-lawyer, activist, and social services worker. Larry Yee, appointed by the previous Mayor, is a community activist and former union organizer. So it’s hard to see how Mattie Scott’s experience and expertise isn’t relevant to the work of the Police Commission, and consistent with, and maybe even better than, other appointees to the Police Commission.
You can’t go entirely by someone’s LinkedIn, lol. Right off the bat that’s a fail. Then you go on to say because most of his personal litigation focus was civil law, that means he doesn’t have any expertise in how police depts function? What? Are we puffing the vape as we type this? Literally the suits and motions involved in reforming any CIVIC ADMINISTRATION involves CIVIL LAW, most people would be able to make that connection if they had ANY understanding of how this works. You sue states and municipalities and depts to subpoena information, all kinds of things related to police oversight at the State, municipal and even Federal level. When they make findings that implicate people, they bring it to appropriate DA’s to empanel Grand Juries to bring that entirely separate legal process. Why go to such length to explain how little you know about this, but still want to make an endorsement of a _completely_ unqualified candidate?
“We have a lot of work ahead of us,” she told the crowd. “It’s about all of us and none of us”
???
Statement started out okay, but that last sentence. . . wtf does that even mean??
I saw Ms. Scott speak at the cultural center after the infamous quadruple homicide. Anti-gun violence activist S. Richard also spoke. I first saw Ms. Paulette speak soon after the murder of her son. There is some commonality in these three’s tragic stories from the Fillmore, and in my warped brain, they are stored in the same memory file.
They all know powerful political people. Richard and Scott have benefitted from these connections. I’m good with that. Is what it is. Still my hope is that Ms. Paulette continues to operate how she operates and avoids capture.
Who really cares that some “advocates” (of what?) claim to be “shocked.” Not surprisingly, those who oppose Mayor Lurie are going to criticize what he does. Their knee jerk reaction seems to be the least important part of the story and certainly not worthy of the headline. One could have just as easily highlighted the Lurie supporters who praised her. But Mission Local has its biases and does not hide them well.
If these various black activists are split over the appointment, then Scott is probably a good pick. Making things all about race is what nearly tore SFUSD apart before that was rolled back.
“If these various black activists are split over the appointment, then Scott is probably a good pick. Also I’m totally not repeating racist tropes just because Fox News filled my head with that for the last 25 years, surely not.”
If Tom’s got a happy blank-eyed glazed look, it’s because someone else has obviously pertinent specific concerns about the propriety of a candidate with no experience replacing one who did have experience. “But Trump had no experience, and just look what a great job he’s doing on egg and gas prices already! I’m sure we’ll take over Canada any day now.” – Better pray your blood pressure meds come from Mexico, traitors… you won’t be able to afford it soon, the tax cuts aren’t for you, lol. (Since you don’t really bother to talk about the appointment either)
Odd, that you have to accuse some one of racism rather than just articulating a position. I think Tom has a point.
It’s a very cynical and Trumpian move to appoint someone unqualified.
The SFPOA, as was the purpose of this exercise, gets exactly what it wants in a pliant commissioner.
I wish I could be a commissioner, but I wouldn’t want to stay until past midnight for commission meetings. I guess you do have to know people.
“A police commissioner, said Thornton, must be able to analyze data regarding the disproportionate impact of policing on Black residents.”
Isn’t it actually illegal to create policy based on skin color?
A police commissioner must be part of the solution in bringing this city back from the doom loop. A commissioner interested in reducing gun violence sounds perfect.
Too bad, progressives, we know you prefer crime and shoplifting to safe streets and prosperity.
Racist blah blah progressives blah blah… too bad Trumpies worship a criminal…
Don’t you get tired of yourselves being so fake-tough on things you know and understand so very little about? I mean vent your spleen, fine, but can’t you get a stress outlet meanwhile? Go play some golf, neglect a spouse, something…
The concerns about this appointment are entirely valid and apolitical. Political activism versus policing policy-making and related legal oversight expertise are 100% different animals. On the other side, the qualifications are political and almost entirely unrelated to police reform or law. She’s certainly not the worst choice Lurie could have made optically nor politically but in terms of subject matter expertise, this is not an specifically dedicated expert with a studied, critical eye towards reforming a police force. It’s admirable that she’s worked politically to reduce gun violence, necessary advocacy to be sure, yet general advocacy is really not this job. Lurie appointed a rubber stamp with formidable political connections – that’s the obvious takeaway. We’ll all try to give her the benefit of the doubt as she takes on a tough task and hope that she’s both an independent voice and a quick study, however given the reason for CO’s removal was ‘not being in Lurie’s graces’ essentially, anything that approaches dissent or other priorities has been effectively removed from the debate. As they could have simply outvoted CO anytime they wanted, by replacing him with someone not versed in the specifics who has never really done anything like this Lurie has fully neutered the commission’s independence. Whatever you think of CO, this is an issue that won’t end there.
When you don’t want the police held accountable find someone unqualified and incompetent to muck things up. Lurie is the ‘liberal’ Trump.
We are all sick and tired of this pandering to criminals in the name of diversity and inclusion.
We need to be tough on crime, charging teenagers involved in gang activity as adults, deporting illegals, and changing laws to allow citizens to protect their homes and families with Stand Your Ground laws.
We don’t care anymore about your politics, your agenda, or your feelings. We won’t be victims of violence and complacent with criminals anymore.
“We don’t care anymore about your politics, your agenda, or your feelings.”
No. You want to impose your politics and your agenda, and declare your feelings as the only feelings that matter.
Is this a parody?
“We are all sick and tired of this pandering to criminals in the name of diversity and inclusion.”
I’m as sick of uneducated Republicans repeating conglomerate slogans of no value because they think Trump gave them permission to be racist ahats in public as if that were a normal thing for human beings who pretend to be Christians to go around doing. Also you have no idea what law enforcement is about, worshiping a criminal fraud and traitor, so there’s that.