San Francisco Sun

Today, the Board of Supervisors confirmed Mayor London N. Breed’s nominations of retired Alameda County Judge C. Don Clay and current Police Commissioner Debra Walker to the San Francisco Police Commission. This seven-member body sets policy for the Police Department and the Department of Police Accountability (DPA) and conducts disciplinary hearings when police conduct charges are filed.

Judge Clay will replace Police Commissioner Jim Byrne, while Debra Walker will be reappointed to her position on the Commission.

“Judge Clay and Debra Walker will bring valuable expertise as we work to implement public safety reforms and new technologies to modernize our police force and equip them with more tools to aid investigations,” said Mayor Breed. “Judge Clay will bring a critical perspective that our City needs as an expert in civil and criminal law with decades of experience. Debra Walker has been a leader supporting the SFPD and has been instrumental in implementing every single reform laid out by the Department of Justice.”

Judge C. Don Clay recently retired from the Alameda County Superior Court after serving over twenty years on the bench. He presided over the criminal jury trial department for much of his career and was Presiding Judge for Alameda County in 2012 and 2013. In 2019, he was appointed by the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court as a Special Master to California’s Commission on Judicial Performance, overseeing hearings on state judicial misconduct complaints until his retirement in March 2024.

Judge Clay earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a juris doctorate degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings). He practiced both criminal and civil law in Alameda County from 1981 to 2002, handling cases ranging from minor misdemeanors to serious felonies and white-collar crime. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Clay worked as First Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of California from 2002 to 2003. He has served on other City commissions including the Fire Commission and Juvenile Probation Commission.

"I am very grateful to Mayor London Breed for giving me this opportunity to continue my dedication to public service,” said Judge Clay. “I look forward to taking on the challenging issues which our City's Police Commission faces each day."

For over 30 years, Debra Walker has run her own business as an artist, living and working in one of San Francisco’s oldest artist cooperatives. As an active member of the community, she has served as past president of both the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club and San Francisco Arts Democratic Club. Additionally, she has been a tenant representative on the Building Inspection Commission and served on boards including that of San Francisco Planning and Urban Research center. Walker is also an officer in both Women’s Caucus and LGBTQ Caucus within California Democratic Party.

"When Mayor Breed asked me to continue serving on the police commission... I was honored," said Commissioner Walker. "It truly has been an honor...to support reforms...to keep our streets safe...and address issues together... I feel there is still much work ahead... I really appreciate...support from folks who are working on these issues across our city..."

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