Lesbians | Out Lesbian Cop Promoted In SFPD Shuffle

An out lesbian has been promoted to the San Francisco PoliceChief's command staff in a restructuring at the department announced this week.

Lea Militello, who most recently led the police homicideunit, was sworn is as the commander of the department's MunicipalTransportation Agency operations on Tuesday, May 17.

Her promotion was one of many changes Chief Greg Suhr ismaking in order to create "a leaner, streamlined managementstructure" that will save the city more than $1 million in managementcosts, according to a statement from the department.

Militello, president of the department's Pride Alliance for LGBT officers, saidthat she was "honored" to take the position.

"I look forward to working with the community to dealwith safety on Muni and a variety of issues," she said. Besides overseeingsafety on the city's buses and subways, she's also in charge of the policemotorcycle unit, hit and run investigations, and other areas. Her new salary isabout $192,000. Deputy Chief John Murphy had headed the police MTA operationsbut was demoted to captain.

Before swearing in officials Tuesday in City Hall, Mayor EdLee and Suhr highlighted the diversity of the command staff. Besides Militello,there are two other out lesbians in the command staff: Assistant Chief DeniseSchmitt of the office of administration, and Commander Sandra Tong of theairport bureau. There are also several people of color on staff.

"The command staff reflects this great city," saidLee.

Suhr told those gathered that he was "humbled" tostand before the group, which he said, "looks like San Francisco."

Out Officer Lenny Broberg cheered Militello's promotion.

"She's spent the last 30 years of her career fighting"for LGBT officers, said Broberg. "She will be a voice, not just afigurehead, but a voice" at the top of the department, he said.

Schmitt said Militello is a "true leader" and thepromotion was "well deserved."

"It will be great to work with her and this wholecommand staff," she said.

Also gaining new positions are Commander Mikail Ali, GoldenGate division; Commander Michael Biel, investigations; Deputy Chief KevinCashman, office of operations; Commander Richard Corriea, metro division;Deputy Chief James Dudley, special operations; and Commander Lyn Tomioka, chiefof staff.

Deputy Chief David Shinn, of the airport bureau, remains inthat post.

Jeff Godown, who had served as interim police chief beforeSuhr got the job in April, will be a civilian manager in charge of staffservices and CompStat, the department's effort that's largely driven bycomputer statistics.

Former commanders David Lazar, David Mahoney, and GregMcEachern are now captains. Deputy Chief Thomas Shawyer is retiring.

Police spokesman Lieutenant Troy Dangerfield said thesavings come from paying less in salaries. In addition to the demotions, threecivilian positions were eliminated.