EDWIN M. LEE
MAYOR

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
SAN FRANCISCO

 

January 21, 2016

The Honorable Loretta 
Attomey General

US. Department of Justice

950 Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Madam Attorney General:

In the past few weeks, our City has grappled with a crisis all too common in so many other American
cities the dissolution of trust between communities of color and law enforcement following the death
ofa young, Black man shot and killed by police of?cers.

In the wake of the most recent incident in San Francisco, I have proposed comprehensive police reforms
and initiatives to rebuild community trust, many modeled on the Justice Department?s own
recommendations. Nevertheless, I invite further guidance and counsel on what we can do as a City to
prevent these incidents whenever possible in the future.

Therefore, I write to ask that the Department of Justice investigate the death of Mario Woods, a request I
make jointly with two African-American leaders on our Board of Supervisors. We want to throw our
doors open, inviting transparency and accountability. We seek answers, notjust to the facts of Mr.
Woods?s case, but also answers about how as a Police Department and a City we can build deeper,
stronger trust between law enforcement and the communities they?re sworn to protect.

You have my full cooperation.

Sincerely, 

    

Mayor, City nty of San Francisco

Attached:
1) Memorandum from Mayor Lee to the Board of Supervisors (January 6, 2016)
2) Statement from Mayor Lee (December 7, 2015)

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94102-4681
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