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Public Defender Levies More Misconduct Charges Against SFPD

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi has once again brought misconduct charges against the San Francisco Police Department, claiming officers stole from suspects and lied on police reports.

Adachi said the owner of a produce market in the Richmond District was the victim of excessive force and he claims officers lied on police reports to justify it.

He has released video of the incident in question and also claims that officers from the Mission Station stole property from several suspects they arrested recently, including $10,000 in cash.

SF Police Incident Report and Video by sfpublicdefender on YouTube

"What's important here is that the public is informed about what happened in these cases and that immediate action is taken," said Adachi.

Adachi has been questioned about the timing of the charges as he is a candidate for mayor in next week's election.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

But San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr said the video shows the produce owner being a threat to officers.

"It appears that the suspect does clench his fist. It does appear that he leans in and then officers are taught that at first blush, to de-escalate any potentially escalating situation," said Suhr.

Adachi leveled similar allegations against the department earlier this year, which are being investigated by the FBI.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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