San Francisco, California
A total of seven San Francisco police officers have been accused of sending racist and homophobic text messages. All have been suspended, and the police chief is recommending that they be fired.
In a statement released Friday, Chief Greg Suhr announced 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.
The names of the officers have not been released by police, but attorneys representing three have identified them as Noel Schwab, 49; Rain Daugherty, 40; and Michael Celis, 47.
The questionable texts targeting blacks, Mexicans, Filipinos and gay men. according to authorities, were sent between 2011 and 2012. They were discovered by federal authorities investigating a former sergeant who was convicted of corruption and sentenced to prison.
Suhr calls the texts "despicable" and says those who sent them "clearly fall below the minimum standards required to be a police officer."
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.
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