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Board asks attorney general to investigate SFPD text-message conduct and practices
Summary
The Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution urging California Attorney General Kamala Harris to open a civil-rights investigation into racist and homophobic text messages exchanged by San Francisco Police Department officers and to examine related arrest, detention, and use-of-force practices.
Supervisor London Breed led a unanimous floor action asking the California Attorney General to investigate discriminatory texts and practices by members of the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD).
Supervisor Jane Kim offered procedural context and supporting citations; Supervisor Jane Kim and Supervisor London Breed joined colleagues in adopting a set of cleanup amendments that added source citations and clarified legal language before the vote. Supervisor Cohen introduced the resolution and described the city’s obligation to seek outside review in light of the content of recently reported text messages and broader community concerns about arrests, detentions, and use of force.
After adopting technical amendments, the board approved the resolution by roll call without dissent. The resolution asks the state attorney general to exercise authority under Civil Code Section 52.3 and related civil‑rights provisions to investigate the SFPD’s practices and to report findings and recommendations to the community.
Supervisor Cohen said the discovery of additional racist and homophobic messages was ‘‘appalling and angering’’ and said the request for an outside investigation reflected widespread community concern. The motion carried unanimously.
