Here’s a piece of cheerful news to brighten your day. We’re going to be needing a new boss at the Border Patrol shortly and while there is nothing written in stone yet, word on the street is that one of the names near the top of the list is that of Heather Fong. While unfamiliar to most of you I’m sure, Heather may ring a bell when you’re reminded that she’s a San Francisco law enforcement figure who was very big on the whole sanctuary city thing. Feel better yet? (Fox News)

A former San Francisco police chief and vocal supporter of a sanctuary cities policy is on a short list of candidates to become the new chief of the Border Patrol, according to sources.

As police chief, Heather Fong shielded illegal immigrants, including aliens who committed crimes, from deportation. In contrast, it is the job of the U.S. Border Patrol to catch and deport all illegal immigrants, including those with a criminal history.

“If they bring (a police chief) in for political purposes based on the sanctuary cities model, that politicizes the job and I think it completely undermines credibility and morale in the organization,” House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mike McCaul, R-Texas, told Fox News.

Ms. Fong is the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement. But back when she was the Chief of Police in the City by the Bay she was no stranger to controversy. In addition to being a staunch advocate of flipping the bird to immigration officials, she was also renowned for having an eagle eye on the budget. In one case she proposed saving money by slashing the number of detectives who investigate major crimes and replacing them with beat cops. (This was from ABC news back in 2008)

San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong suffered a strong rebuke late on Monday by the Civil Service Commission, for her plan to do away with the rank of inspector. These are the investigators who solve crime.

It is no exaggeration to say there is a crisis of confidence in Chief Heather Fong, among the rank and file. And it boiled over in a hearing room at City Hall.

About 53 San Francisco police officers filed a complaint with the Civil Service Commission. They tested for jobs as inspectors 10 years ago, but Chief Fong has decided to cut that position, and fill the jobs with sergeants.

“But I have to follow the rules or I get in trouble. So should everyone else because we are the police,” said SFPD Officer Nick Berthne

“We want you to help the department, by forcing us and advocate in directing us to follow the rules,” said Officers for Justice President Julian Hill.

Frankly, I generally tend to applaud government officials who keep a sharp lookout for the public purse and save money where they can. But when it comes to law enforcement, at least some measure of judgement is required, and getting rid of your inspectors who root out major crimes probably isn’t the first place you want to start cutting.

None of this, however, comes close to the issue of appointing a top cop on the illegal immigration beat who is a fan of sanctuary cities and blocks the efforts of the law enforcement officers she would be placed in charge of. This decision is not yet finalized, but before the final pick is made we need to let the administration know that this is not acceptable. There’s been a pattern of disregard for immigration law in the Obama administration of late and if the White House is looking at this as a chance for one last thumb in the eye of border control it needs to be squashed.