Joint Statement from Mayor Newsom and Police Chief Fong

From the Mayor's Office of Communications

December 7, 2005

In the past several hours it has come to our attention that members of the San Francisco Police Department have engaged in gross misconduct while on duty. Specifically, members of the San Francisco Police Department created, participated and performed in a series of videos that have numerous instances of inappropriate and outrageous content. The content ranges from immature and vulgar to sexist, racist and homophobic.

Accordingly, the following actions have been taken:

· An immediate investigation has been undertaken by the San Francisco Police Department. In addition, the Mayor has directed the city’s Human Rights Commission and the Commission on the Status of Women to begin an investigation as well. Any findings will be directed to the appropriate entity for action.

· The information has been shared with the President of the San Francisco Police Commission for appropriate action.

· Due to the obvious and egregious conduct and misuse of department resources, approximately 20 officers will be suspended, mostly officers currently or formerly stationed at the Bayview Station. In addition, any necessary termination proceedings will be enacted pending the results of the investigations. These disciplinary actions are within the purview of the Chief of the San Francisco Police Department and the San Francisco Police Commission.

· The Police Chief will immediately begin mandatory briefings regarding appropriate workplace behavior within the department. These briefings will begin tomorrow.

· Finally, Mayor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order creating an independent Blue Ribbon Commission. The Commission will be tasked with conducting a comprehensive and thorough review of the San Francisco Police Department’s personnel polices, standards of conduct and training, as well as appropriate representations of the communities they serve.

In all cases, due process will be respected. Every officer is entitled to a swift and fair hearing. However, we cannot be clearer: this administration and this department have zero tolerance for this type of behavior.

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