San Francisco, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that her office secured a conviction following a trial by jury against Jonathan Bissell (31) for attacking a San Francisco Police Officer in UN Plaza. Mr. Bissell was convicted of Battery on an Officer (PC 243(b)), Threatening an Executive Officer (PC 69) and Resisting, Obstructing or Delaying an Officer (PC 148).

“I would like to thank the jury for their service in this trial,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “I would also like to thank our Police Officers who work extraordinarily hard every day to keep the public safe; they like everyone else in our city deserve to do their work free from random, unprovoked attacks. My office will not tolerate violence against any of our residents, workers, visitors or public servants.”

According to testimony, footage, and other evidence presented at trial, on August 31, 2023, at around 1 a.m., Jonathan Bissell confronted an SFPD Officer while he was on duty at United Nations Plaza, demanding that he leave his post and threatening to assault him. Mr. Bissell told the officer that he had thirty seconds to leave and began counting down with his fists raised. While counting, Mr. Bissell abruptly punched the officer in the face and tackled him to the ground. Mr. Bissell and the officer fought for roughly two minutes, while Mr. Bissell attempted to seize the officer’s firearm. When back-up arrived, Mr. Bissell continued to fight and resist. The officer sustained a head injury from the attack and was transported to San Francisco General Hospital for treatment.

The case against Mr. Bissell was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Samantha Zurcher with assistance from paralegals Josh Nickchen and Raquel Paz Aleman and IT support from Leland Chan and Noaeh Pinaire. Prosecutors were able to develop a strong case against Mr. Bissell based on the thorough investigation and assistance by Tenderloin Station police officers.

“I want to thank the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence and law in this case,” said Assistant District Attorney Samantha Zurcher. “This conviction shows that the people of San Francisco will not tolerate unprovoked violence against anyone in our city, including our police officers, who work around the clock to keep our streets safe.”

Court Number: 24020726

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