All the tension was over a scene that was not even part of the 'Cops Gone Wild' video -- it was a hidden file on the DVD, meant only to be shared between the two officers in the clip.
Before the Videogate scandal, officers /*Wendy Hurley*/ and /*Jimmy Lewis*/ had been friends and colleagues at Bayview Station for more than 10 years.
"I cook a lot at the station and make food and Jimmy was joking with me all the time never making watermelon, serving watermelon whether it's watermelon pancakes, watermelon this, watermelon that," Hurley said.
So, when Lewis missed a Father's Day breakfast in 2005, Hurley made a special watermelon presentation, caught on tape.
Officer Andrew Cohen, who made the 'Cops Gone Wild' video, placed the watermelon scene on an untitled section of the DVD.
"This Father's Day presentation wasn't on the comedy video, it was on a little hidden track so Officer Lewis could have it as a keepsake," Hurley said.
But, it became a major issue Thursday when a lawyer for the SFPD played it in open court.
"And I never intended to make anyone feel bad or be insulted about their race, doing that with Officer Lewis, that was the farthest thing from my mind and my heart," Hurley said.
SFPD lawyer John Alden asked Hurley what she would say to the African-American member of the Police Commission and to people living in the Bayview.
Alden: "What is your plan as to how you'll restore your credibility with the community, particularly the African-American community, now that this video is public?"
Waukeen McCoy: "Objection, irrelevant, he's sitting here calling my client a racist, which she is not."
Hurley's attorney, Waukeen McCoy, urged Commissioner Jim Hammer to move the hearing along.
"And you're sitting up here, having her talk about this, when you know and he knows that she's not racist, I'm going to take a break," McCoy said.
McCoy called Alden "chump" on the way out.
During the break, the SFPD lawyer offered to provide a disc of the watermelon scene to the I-Team.
Back in session, Hammer instructed Alden to move on.
"I'm going to sustain the objection, you have any last minute questions, you may do so now," Hammer said.
But the tensions continued.
Alden: "We expect her to have a high level of judgment how to deal with the community."
McCoy: "Mr. Hammer, I can't understand what he's doing."
And it is not over yet. Hurley's hearing resumes in a month. After that, the matter goes to the full Police Commission for a vote and that could be several more weeks.
Looking back at 'Videogate' and 'Cops Go Wild'
SFPD 'Videogate' hearings resumebr>
'Videogate' hearings postponed after I-Team report
SFPD 'Videogate' case finally wrapping up
BLOG: New 'Videogate' videos
'Cops Gone Wild' video producer investigated
SFPD video scandal: Judge scolds cops
Chief Fong points the finger at Newsom
Cop Spoof Video Goes After City Officials
SFPD Video Scandal: No Punishment For Asian Cops
SFPD Video Scandal: Cops Want Newsom Under Oath
