The San Francisco Police Commission has begun taking steps to search for a new police chief.
Last week, Chief Heather Fong announced she would step down from her post this coming April.
City leaders said they plan to inform the public about how they will conduct the selection process.
The mayor's office said the city would look at candidates from both outside and inside the department, as well as from around the country.
"We'll have an outside search firm which will be directly responsible for the search and again the mayor and the commission and Chief Fong will be working very closely together on the search."
Commissioners said the next chief would be responsible for carrying out many of the reforms started under Fong's leadership.
The next chief would also be tasked with bringing in new technology while keeping calm and stability among the officers.