Posted on 12/13/2005 11:08:45 AM PST by SmithL
Eight San Francisco police officers -- suspended without pay as officials investigate their alleged role in a video scandal -- were given administrative hearings Monday that likely mean they can return to duty by week's end, authorities said.
The eight Bayview Station officers apparently had either minor roles or no knowledge that their images would be spliced into the videos that were denounced last week as racist, sexist and homophobic by Police Chief Heather Fong and Mayor Gavin Newsom.
At the center of the internal police investigation is officer Andrew Cohen, the producer of the 28-minute video, intended for the station's Christmas party, but partially released by Cohen over the Internet.
None of the two dozen officers, originally sent home on suspension pending the outcome of an investigation, face specific allegations of wrongdoing.
Each is entitled to a hearing within five days of the date of suspension. The hearings are held before the chief or a designated command staff officer to determine whether the officer in question should be allowed to return to work.
The eight who had hearings Monday will be notified of the results this morning.
"I have a feeling the first eight will be returned to duty,'' said Gary Delagnes, president of the Police Officers Association.
"I think everybody is taking a step back, and that's in no small part due to the public's sentiment,'' Delagnes said. "People are starting to realize that maybe this isn't the end of the world. But that's not condoning it.''
About 10 more officers are slated to have hearings today, with the remaining and most seriously implicated officers expected to get hearings Wednesday.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
this 'city' should be on its hands and knees (no pun intended)thanking God they HAVE people that will protect their sorry homo asses!
These guys put their life on the line every day they are working in their capacity as police officers. It is a dangerous job and underpaid for the risks involved. Bottom line is they were goofing off, blowing off steam and it was a private movie they made for their own use to make fun of thmselves (and others). This sensitivity stuff has just gone way too far. Doctors tend to be morbid too in their sense of humor. When one deals with life and death on a daily basis, you need to cut them some slack for their style and manner of humor.
The only mistake these officers made was posting it on a city web site. Other than that pretty harmless.
SF will be in CHAOS.
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