SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Seven San Francisco police officers accused of sending racist and homophobic text messages have been suspended, and the police chief is recommending that they be fired. Chief Greg Suhr announced in a statement Friday that he has asked a police oversight committee to approve firing the officers. He says six others will face disciplinary actions that include reassignment to positions that don’t have contact with the public. Another officer has resigned. Authorities say the texts targeting blacks, Mexicans, Filipinos and gay men were sent between 2011 and 2012. Suhr calls the texts “despicable” and says those who sent them “clearly…
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Seven San Francisco police officers accused of sending racist and homophobic text messages have been suspended, and the police chief is recommending that they be fired.
Chief Greg Suhr announced in a statement Friday that he has asked a police oversight committee to approve firing the officers. He says six others will face disciplinary actions that include reassignment to positions that don’t have contact with the public. Another officer has resigned.
Authorities say the texts targeting blacks, Mexicans, Filipinos and gay men were sent between 2011 and 2012.
Suhr calls the texts “despicable” and says those who sent them “clearly fall below the minimum standards required to be a police officer.”
They were discovered by federal authorities investigating a former sergeant who was convicted of corruption and sentenced to prison.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
The San Francisco police chief says three officers accused of sending racist and homophobic text messages will be suspended, and he’s recommending that they be fired.
of the 13 officers under investigation in the scandal, television station KGO (http://abc7ne.ws/19OC8Ip ) reports. The suspensions are expected by Friday afternoon, and Suhr says more suspensions will come soon.
Authorities say the texts targeting blacks, Mexicans, Filipinos and gay men were sent between 2011 and 2012.
The names of the officers have not been released by police, but attorneys representing them have identified them as Noel Schwab, 49; Rain Daugherty, 40; and Michael Celis, 47.
Attorneys for two of the officers have said their clients regret sending the messages. Another officer tied to the inquiry has resigned.
The texts were discovered by federal authorities investigating former police Sgt. Ian Furminger, who was convicted of corruption and sentenced to 41 months in federal prison.
Meanwhile, San Francisco prosecutors say they will review dozens of old prosecution cases touched by the officers under investigation.
District Attorney George Gascon said his office will review all cases going back 10 years that the officers were linked to either by writing a report, submitting evidence or testifying in court. Since they were made public last month, city leaders have raised concern that prejudice by the officers may have led to unfair treatment, particularly in cases involving black defendants.
The San Francisco Police Officers Association earlier issued a statement saying the actions were not emblematic of individuals it represents.
“All these racist and homophobic text messages, if true, are disgraceful and humiliating to the community we serve,” the statement said.
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Information from: KGO-TV.
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