Newsom defends quick response to police video flap

AP ^ | 12/15/5 | JUSTIN M. NORTON

[SmithL]

SAN FRANCISCO - Mayor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday defended his handling of a police video that showed a white officer driving over a black homeless woman and poked fun at racial stereotypes, amid criticism that he was hasty in condemning the clips.

Newsom rejected arguments that the tapes were never meant to be shown publicly and simply contained in-house police jokes, saying he didn't "think it was fun and games" to laugh at ethnic stereotypes.

"You can't just turn a blind eye to the insensitivity in these videos," an animated Newsom said Wednesday.

Twenty-four officers from the Bayview station were suspended last week after portions of the 28-minute video - which Newsom has branded racist, sexist and homophobic - came to light. Scenes include a traffic cop pulling over a woman and ogling her and a black officer eating out of a dog bowl.

Eight officers believed to be less involved than other suspended officers were allowed to return to work this week, and eight other officers were waiting to hear if they could return to work as well.

Newsom said that when people get a chance to review additional unreleased video footage he called "outrageous," they will consider the city's response measured. That footage, which includes an "Abu Ghraib-type skit that was done with African-American officers in cages," has not been released for legal reasons, he later told KTVU-TV.

"If this occurred in any business in the private sector, none of us would criticize the company for direct and swift action," Newsom said, adding that "this is the last thing the city needs at this time. The department was trying to turn a corner."

The department last drew national attention three years ago, when former Chief Earl Sanders was indicted - and later cleared - in an alleged cover-up of a late-night brawl between two off-duty officers and two men who refused to hand over a bag of steak fajitas.

Officer Andrew Cohen, who produced the video, appeared at a hearing Wednesday to determine if he could return to work. Cohen, who said he had intended to show the video at the station's Christmas party as a send-off for retiring Bayview Capt. Rick Bruce, faces charges of conduct unbecoming of an officer.

Daniel Horowitz, one of Cohen's attorneys, said Newsom was engaging in "politically correct opportunism."

Cohen's attorneys said the video was clearly marked "for comedy purposes only."

Horowitz said the officers in the video were willing to poke fun at their ethnicity but that Cohen feels "sick" that people were upset.

Cohen was in the process of removing the video from his Web site when he heard city officials had concerns and was blindsided when Newsom and Police Chief Heather Fong released it at a press conference, Horowitz said.

"This is all about people joking around, and it got out of hand because the mayor released it publicly," he said.

[SmithL]

Gavin has no respect for law, but he worships at the altar of political correctness.

[misterrob]

I suppose but theit conduct was still rather unprofessional and downright stupid.

[dangus]

I haven't seen the clip... Since black officers participated in the making of it, it sounds like it COULD be making fun of racism.

[mattdono]

You can't just turn a blind eye to the insensitivity in these videos

Sensitivity. Hmm. I swear, that is the seed of destruction for this country. It seems to be the seed that lies at the black heart of every PC initiative in our well-mangled Republic.

Sad. It would be nice if everyone that cared some much about some many other things would actually start caring care for a loved one (especially older members of their immediate family).

I swear, if all of the people would pour 1/10th of the passion for decrying everything that is wrong with the world and pour it into something constructive, who knows? Maybe these people would start to see that helping the world can first start by helping at home, as in their home, their family.

Crazy thought, I know. Crazy enough that it just might work.

Oh, and these people need to get a sense of humor. Pr*cks.

[jeremiah]

I advise the mayor and chief of police to apologize for releasing this tape, and back off. They are about to cost the city multi-millions of dollars in a defamation suit.

[P-40]

What was the title of the video? Bonfire of the Vanities? :)

[Unam Sanctam]

Since he tore up California law on marriage, why shouldn't he tear up the notion of innocent until proven guilty?

[SF Republican]

Gavin was the sweetheart of the Dem party a couple of years ago, feted all over the country; he is a political novice that has not contributed one positive thing to this city and in fact has demonstrated his ability to screw up anything he puts his mind too.

[GOP_1900AD]

And Fong is right there with him. Another opportunist from the militant gay faction.

[GOP_1900AD]

An overblown frat boy stuck on stupid and utterly representative of the height of drunken obnoxious revelry within the confines of his huant, the Triangle, on a Saturday night. [Boycott Plumpjack! Boycott Balboa Cafe!]

[6SJ7]

The department last drew national attention three years ago, when former Chief Earl Sanders was indicted - and later cleared - in an alleged cover-up of a late-night brawl between two off-duty officers and two men who refused to hand over a bag of steak fajitas.

Yo quero Taco Bell!