Activists call on CA Attorney General to investigate San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- New voices join the calls to find a new chief to lead the San Francisco Police Department.
The chorus of voices asking current Police Chief Greg Suhr to step down, or be fired continues to grow louder in the aftermath of several deadly police shootings, and the discovery of racist statements and text messages made by officers on the force.
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That demand came from attorneys and activists. They want California's Attorney General to investigate SFPD. They gathered at the Hall of Justice Wednesday in hopes of sending a message to Attorney General Kamala Harris.
"We demanding you come in and investigate the SFPD," said one activist.
"She needs to come on down, or else you don't need to run for U.S. Senate," said activist Elaine Brown
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The Attorney General said she'll launch an investigation if the one underway falls short. In an emailed statement to ABC7 she said, "The United States Department of Justice is currently engaged in a review that is comprehensive."
The most recent development is that a Bayview Sergeant made a racial slur.
"I can't even grieve my child, because I have to be outraged about what you say about my community and my people," said Mario Woods mother Gwen Woods.
An SFPD spokesperson says Chief Suhr suspended the member and sent the matter to the Police Commission, with a recommendation for discipline up to and including termination.
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Supervisor Jane Kim Wednesday called for the Mayor and the San Francisco Police Commission to launch a comprehensive search for a new police chief.
"There is so much mistrust currently between the public and the police department that the chief has become a distraction," Kim said.
Supervisor Kim has the support of Supervisor David Campos.
An SFPD spokesperson says the chief has no intention of stepping down.
In an emailed statement, Mayor Lee says, "The community has asked us to fast track change and not put politics before police reforms."
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Supervisor Mark Farrell also says Chief Suhr has his full support.
Kim says she is calling for an stable transition in leadership. She says Chief Suhr should stay on while a national search is conducted to find his replacement.
