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San Francisco Police Officer Accused Of Drunkenly Spitting On Parking Cop

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — A San Francisco parking control officer has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit accusing a city police officer of nearly running her over and then spitting on her as she directed traffic.

Department of Parking and Traffic Sgt. Shanika Bell's lawsuit claims San Francisco Police Officer Thomas Lovrin, a 31-year department veteran, drove through a red light at high speed on April 9 after a Giants game at AT&T Park.

The suit says the 53-year-old Lovrin appeared to be drunk and was talking on his cellphone at the time.

Bell raised her hand directing Lovrin to stop, the suit claims, and Lovrin approached her, shouting expletives before spitting on her face.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the complaint names the city of San Francisco and Lovrin as defendants and that it seeks unspecified damages. The defendants have not responded to the suit in court.

"This case is about disrespect," John Burris, Bell's attorney told the Chronicle.

"It's pretty shocking that a police officer would treat a fellow law-enforcement officer in such a despicable way."

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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