How the SFPD Video Scandal Began

One of the more interesting facts we uncovered in the research for tonight’s investigation was how the controversy began. In the past, we’ve seen San Francisco Police Officers Association President Gary Delagnes stand up for officers, often against the odds. You might expect him to do the same in the face of a potentially embarrassing video and try to quell the situation. But, from reading the twelve hundred page final report from the internal affairs investigation into the video and the officers behind it, it turns out Delagnes was the one who blew the whistle on the officers involved in the video. He told inspectors from the SFPD Management Control Division that he found out about the video from the union’s treasurer, watched some of the scenes, and called the captain of Bayview Station at the time, Al Pardini, to complain. Delagnes says thirty minutes later, Chief Fong called him and asked to come to POA headquarters to view the video. She does. That’s how the scandal began. Delagnes told investigators the next day at four o’clock, Mayor Newsom called to say he was holding a news conference at six to “go public with the video” … just in time for the evening news.

As I reported tonight, Gary Delagnes has not returned my calls for an interview. I also stopped by POA headquarters, and the secretary said he was in a meeting and unavailable. We’ll keep trying.

Tomorrow at 6, we explore the core issue in the $20 million federal lawsuit against the city and Chief Fong. Why didn’t she suspend four Asian officers who played prominent roles in the video, when she suspended two dozen African American, Latino and white officers? For the first time, you’ll see the skits performed by the Asian officers and hear the story behind the scenes.

By the way, we’ve seen that the local political blogs are already up and running on the issue, and we’re already getting phone calls and e-mail. An SFPD officer writes:

Dan,

As a native born citizen of San Francisco, resident and San Francisco Police Officer, I applaud your investigation of this ridiculous "scandal". I think it became a scandal when the Mayor made an issue of something that was nothing more than his own paranoia. He created the scandal when he went public with the videos. It's a shame that tax-payers money was spent on investigating officers whose impact of not being on the streets and fighting crime are being sorely felt! Bay View officers, in my opinion, are one of the hardest working cops in the City. I don't work at that station but I've spent time there helping out. The officers should be back on the street with restitution and the Mayor should publicly apologize (which I know will never happen). It's unfortunate that the lives of the officers are nowhere near normalcy since this issue has dragged on much longer than it needed to. Hopefully the officers will get their day in court. Keep up the good work!

I’d like to hear your take on the issues.

*** Update 5-17-07: Ten minutes before I was to go on the air Wednesday, Gary Delagnes called. Keep in mind, I tried to phone him several times and stopped by his office last week. He knew about the first story Tuesday, and yet he waited ten minutes before the second story aired to call. Delagnes immediately launched into an attack on the video's producer, Andrew Cohen. Then, I asked him about the central issue in Wednesday's report -- why Chief Fong apparently treated Asian officers more favorably than other officers. He answered, "I have no idea ... That's a question for MCD (the internal affairs division) and the chief." ***

Comments

[independentvoice]

It is a shame that hard working public servants have to suffer because of its mayor's quest for eternal publicity.

The ultimate victims are the San Francisco residents who need every able bodied police officer out in the street, fighting the ever increasing crime.

Good job Mr. Noyes for being the conscience of the public.

Thank you.

[sfmike]

The fact that Gary Delagnes ratted out his fellow police officers while being head of the union is fascinating news. Heather Fong disciplining the troops in a markedly different manner on a racial basis is also rather explosive news, though it's depressing and not that surprising. Gavin Newsom getting hysterical over the stupid video was also bizarre and interesting, since there are so many real issues around the Police Department that need attending to, and this wasn't really one of them.

Thanks above all for the great story, and for the great tour. It was really appreciated.

[Zahira Cortes]

Chief Heather Fong admitted to denying a promotion to an indiviudal based on pending complaints, which is a violatiion of the Peace Officer Bill of Rights.

It's no surprise Chief Heather Fong would violate an Officers due process rights.

I would like to know who punishes Chief Heather Fong for these violations and has the Management Control Division started an investigation on the Chief.

[Patrisha Tulloch]

From what I've seen of what's been called "VideoGate" (the parody put together by cops, about cops and for the viewing pleasure of cops) everybody in the city has been "played," that is, taken for a fool by what I call the Overly Ambitious Trio (OAT).

Who is OAT but none other than Police Officers Association President Gary Delagnes, San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong and last, but not least, Mayor Gavin Newsome.

With VideoGate here we have OAT trying to make political theater on the backs of SFPD officers, as well as the public they serve, all in a vain attempt to feather their own nests--each for their own self-serving reason(s).

What has happened with VideoGate has been replete with all kinds of unexpected turns and spills. Now that this travesty of justice, has spun out in a completly different direction than initially intended, the public is slowly but surely getting to see what the real deal is.

The tape the cops in question produced, from what I've seen, is simply a walk on the lighter side of policing. As I understand it, the tape was never intended to be viewed by the average John or Jane Q. Public.

For OAT to create the stage then perform the story they wanted to put over on the public is reprehensible. What OAT did is a travesty of justice and a gross misappropriation of city manhours and dollars.

But all things being equal, the story now unfolding is one OAT never dreamed of. I guess that's what happens when you roll the dice, move your piece a few paces and sit back thinking you've won way before the game is over.

I hope OAT isn't too surprised to feel like a lumpy bowl of OATmeal when it's all said and done. That's the point where I hope they collectively hear the city as one voice say, "Better watch who you play, since you just might get played."

[Joe in Auburn CA]

If this is what Channel 7 thinks is news, ugh! Looks more like your super sleuth's latest attempt to dig up someone with name ID to run against Newsom. Ho-hum.

[jonesy]

If this was Gavins stab at appearing presidential he failed at this as he has failed at everything else. At least the Police can only be accused of "questionable taste" whereas the mayor IS guilty of sexual harassment of his staff and the questionable payout and approval of city funds to silence the woman he violated, not to mention the family of his best friend that he destroyed, just another day in the life of Gavin Newsom Boy Mayor. Keep it up Dan you've done an excellent job in holding this guys feet to the fire and pointing out his double standards. The Police deserve an apology from this idiot mayor and his puppet chief.

[sfmaninblue]

of course these hard working officers are being screwed by the mayor and chief fong. more political grandstanding and a chief with no back bone who caves into the mayors whims...get rid of them both....25 years in this department and its getting worse, not better ..ship em both off

[R.G]

The time frame of this case (year and a half ago) suggests that the mayor was at that time in the middle of his affair with his secretary. If that's correct, his judgement was certainly impaired. He may have been popular at the recent Democratic party convention in San Diego, but given the paeans heaped on him by the Demo leadership, I'm not sure their collective judgement is any better.

[jc341]

It's important to point out here that the P.O.A. felt that these tapes were going to hit the media regardless and that Delagnes was trying to put these tapes in some type of context before the media and the political vultures had a chance to spin it their way. which of course they did much to the detriment of the ward working cops who were involved.

[CTS]

"It's important to point out here that the P.O.A. felt that these tapes were going to hit the media regardless and that Delagnes was trying to put these tapes in some type of context before the media and the political vultures had a chance to spin it their way"

Silly me! I thought the POA's responsibility was to the Officers that pay dues for protection of their rights, thank God that the tape was put into 'context', otherwise something really bad might have happened to them...oh wait!

What's important is that these hardworking individuals were blowing off a little steam, in a very harmless way, and this video was used as a self-promotion vehicle by a few short-sighted, publicity hounds. I hope they lose the lawsuit and their jobs.

[PSA]

The important thing to remember is that all of these cops' rights were violated. And, it was all done in the furtherance of political theater.

I am far from unbiased in this matter; I'm related to one of the officers and worked with another. The cast of characters in this sad story is ridiculous.

Gary Delagnes' actions just show what a loose cannon and bufoon he is. He complains about Kamala Harris and juries not supporting officers but then he goes and brings this issue to the Chief and Mayor? Look up hypocrite in the dictionary and you will find his ruddy-cheeked visage scowling back at you. Does everyone forget that he was one of the geniuses involved in the Dick Hongisto newspaper scandal?

Heather "Death Watch" Fong: my four-year old looks better wearing a uniform hat. Talk about uninspiring leadership. A nice lady with no business being a police chief.

Then we have the "Offendee in Chief" Gavin Newsome. He was so shocked by the racism and sexism on the tapes that he went and shagged his best friend's wife, who also happened to work for him. Is there any supervisor in the private sector or government who wouldn't get immediately canned for doing this? Pardon me if I can't feel his indignation.

The bottom line is that all of these cops, yes, even my friend and relative, should have been suspended, quietly, for a few days for the incredible lack of judgement they exhibited. However, the Mayor, Chief and Delagnes' decision to tell the world lies with them, alone.

It's one thing to do something stupid; it's a whole different level of stupidity to tell the whole world.

[sfirishmom]

As in every line of work, we have "office humor." It is the stuff that only people in that particular job "get." I would never understand what a dentist would find so funny in flouride nor do I expect civilians to understand "cop" humor. We have to laugh, make jokes, and make fun of ourselves to survive this job. The cops in the Bayview are some of the hardest working cops in the department. You don't find many people volunteering to get assigned out there. To call them Homophobic and racist is beyond belief. The Mayor and the Chief blew this one big time.

[Carl]

Maybe these officers made a mistake. Maybe. That is what the disciplinary process is for.

However, there is a due process. The Mayor completely violated that due process. At that point there was an internal disciplinary investigation underway. The Mayor violated the rules and the law by making a show of displaying the officer's pictures on television. He had no right to show those clips. A classy, and correct, thing to do was to state there was an investigation underway. I daresay, he corrupted the investigation and wouldn't be surprised if any punishment was overturned because of those violated rights.

Just as these officers may face punishment for violating rules, shouldn't the Mayor also face a punishment for violating the rules? He needs to be answerable. The Mayor admitted that alcohol had clouded his judgment during this time period. Is this an example?

These are real questions which deserve answers.

[goldeneyes]

This is news ,what about the cops who have murdered children,rapped,destroyed families. This is news ,but lets get the real stuff and start doing your jobs ,before the new becomes a sorry wannabe comedy show. By the way you forgot to metion that police officers wave the right to sue any governmental agency. If you want a police boy or girl do it right . The time for you newspeople to step up was decades ago . Thank you anyway its something .

[king kokubar]

goldeneyes:

Why is the "rapping" of police officers, presumably in a hip hop group, "news?"

Oh wait, you meant RAPING. Here's a hint, goldeneyes, learn to spell then tell the rest of us your "opinions", k?

[independentvoice]

Delagnes fought very hard for those cops while Newsom and the Chief were attacking them in the national media.

He got the community leaders to stand behind the cops against Newsom and the Chief. If Delagnes didn't do what he did, the Mayor and the Chief would have thrown the entire police force in front of the bus. The consequence to the police force and the city would have been dreadful.

[dave]

No other media source in the Bay Area -- no newspaper, TV station, or radio station -- covered this story except the i-team. What does that tell you?

This so-called "story" speaks volumes about Dan Noyes and his vendetta against the mayor. Other than that, what does this amount to? It seems to me that the policemen's lawyer used Noyes quite nicely in his attempt to extract $20 million from San Francisco taxpayers on behalf of himself and his clients. He needed a TV reporter to give his story wheels, so he went to the reporter who, he knew, would broadcast any old swill about Newsom. Does Noyes and i-team understand what journalistic ethics are? The cocaine cheap shot was especially low.

[pddad]

I can't believe the president of the POA would sell out his officers like he did. I think this entire story is overblown and the officers deserve an apology for what they went through from the Mayor, Chief and POA President.

[Me]

I think Gavin Newsom should check his own behavior and remember that he slept with his most devoted and loyal aids wife. Not once but an ongoing affair. He is a disgrace and an embarrassment to the city of San Francisco. His handling of this (non) issue was so misguided. Those Bayview cops have a hard enough job as it is. Chief Fong and Mayor Newsom both should be suspended for gross negligence by not giving these officers due process and wasting taxpayer money. How much more are we going to tolerate from this guy?

[R.G.]

One thing about this story continues to puzzle me: what does Ruby Tourk have to do with it? Is she a potential witness for the police officers' attorneys, or what? The inclusion of her name in the news report seems unnecessary without further explanation.

[Greg]

Geez, I thought Texas was messed up. Just goes to show you what the PC police in your fine state can do. And who the Hell put Fong in charge.......Maybe you can learn from this.

[dennis]

Look, those cops showed have been fired immediatly- no questions asked