SF police union happy to have Farrell in mayor’s office

Mark Farrell, County Supervisor, announces the perimeters for a taxpayer-funded loan assistance program aimed at keeping first responders in San Francisco at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on July 30, 2013. Mark Farrell, County Supervisor, announces the perimeters for a taxpayer-funded loan assistance program aimed at keeping first responders in San Francisco at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on July 30, 2013. Photo: Katie Meek, The Chronicle Photo: Katie Meek, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close SF police union happy to have Farrell in mayor’s office 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The San Francisco Police Officers Association may be one of the big winners in the recent mayoral shakeup at City Hall.

Since the fatal shooting of Mario Woods by San Francisco police in December 2015, relations between the union and City Hall have been chilly. They may warm up under Mayor Mark Farrell, who was one of the few supervisors who remained close to the union and supported its call to arm officers with Tasers.

The union’s top political consultant, Nathan Ballard, is an old friend of Farrell’s. He’s taking an unpaid leave of absence from the police association job to advise Farrell through the end of his term in June.

“Public safety could not be happier with Farrell,” Ballard said. “He has always been the one supervisor they don’t have to lobby — he understands all their issues.”

The first issue on the table is not a public safety question, but rather the union’s contract. It expires June 30.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross