New San Diego police chief

up much of the Democratic establishment but has also faced criticism of his homeless encampment ban and embrace of police surveillance.

The race to succeed termed-out City Attorney Mara Elliott is a two-way battle between Chief Deputy City Attorney Heather Ferbert and Assemblymember Brian Maienschein. And several City Council incumbents face competition for re-election in November.

But the future of one council district will be decided before then. The special election to replace Montgomery Steppe is a three-way race between Henry Foster, Chida Warren-darby and Tylisa Suseberry that could be decided as soon as March or as late as July.

This next year will usher in a changing of the guard at the San Diego Police Department.

In November, the city announced Chief David Nisleit would retire in June, and that a national search for his replacement was under way.

Nisleit, who was promoted to chief in 2018, must retire next year because he signed on to the city’s deferred retirement option plan, known as DROP, in 2019. The department’s No. 2, Executive Assistant Chief Chris Mcgrath — who is also set to retire next year — and five of the agency’s seven assistant chiefs are also enrolled in the program.

The recruitment process will include gathering input from community members throughout the city, officials said, with a series of meetings in each council district scheduled for January.

Candidate interviews will take place throughout February and March, with a new chief being appointed in April.

The next top cop will be take over in June.