Kamala Harris - For California Attorney General 2010

San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

Chief Lansdowne Praises Harris’ Experience as a Prosecutor, Commitment to Keeping Streets Safe

SAN FRANCISCO – Chief William Lansdowne, Chief of Police for the City of San Diego, today announced his support for San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris’ candidacy for California Attorney General.  In voicing his enthusiastic support, Chief Lansdowne praised Harris’ prosecutorial record and her commitment to protecting Californians.

“As a career courtroom prosecutor, Kamala Harris knows what it takes to effectively fight crime and keep our streets safe,” said Chief Lansdowne, who has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience. “She has worked shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement throughout her career as a prosecutor and as District Attorney, so she understands the challenges police departments face and I know she will be a champion for cops who walk the beat.”

“Chief Lansdowne is a highly respected leader in California’s law enforcement community, so I am honored to have earned his support,” said Harris. “As Attorney General, I will continue to work with law enforcement leaders around the state to shut the revolving door which is just recycling criminals in and out of our neighborhoods.”

Prior to arriving in San Diego in 2003, Chief Lansdowne served as Chief of Police for the cities of Richmond, California, and San Jose, California. He has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience. Chief Lansdowne has always demonstrated a strong commitment to the concept of neighborhood policing and community input. He believes in openness and being responsive to the needs and concerns of the community. The Chief insists that all employees act with professionalism and treat all citizens of San Diego with dignity and respect. He has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of San Jose. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has served on a variety of state and national boards, including the Major Cities Chiefs and the National Conference for Community and Justice.

As San Francisco’s District Attorney, Harris has used her nearly 20 years of prosecutorial experience to focus intensively on fighting violent crime.  She increased felony conviction rates, expanded services to victims of crime and their families, created new prosecution divisions focused on child assault, public integrity and environmental crimes, and launched innovative initiatives to prevent re-offending.  

This work is paying off – the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office has more than doubled its trial conviction rate for gun felonies to 90 percent.  Under her leadership, the office has sent 70 percent more serious and violent offenders to State Prison. According to the San Francisco Superior Court, the office’s overall felony conviction rate is at its highest point in 12 years.

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