Watch CBS News

SFPD Officers May Carry Cameras After Latest Corruption Claim

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – San Francisco police officers may soon videotape arrests to guard against claims of misconduct. Police Chief Greg Suhr is just beginning the process of equipping officers with tiny video cameras that they could turn on when making an arrest.

KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:

San Jose Police are already testing something similar; in Oakland the police carry digital audio recorders.

An SFPD spokesman said the idea is just in the preliminary stages.

Chief Suhr is responding to the latest allegations of officer wrongdoing by Public Defender Jeff Adachi, who has been systematically trotting out surveillance videos that he said catch cops making illegal searches and stealing from suspects. Adachi welcomes any moves by Suhr to make the police force more transparent and accountable.

"Going forward with a new police chief in San Francisco, and I've known Greg Suhr for many years, it is my hope that we're going to be able to work with the department rather than against the department, to resolve these cases," said Adachi.

Chief Suhr said the accused officers have been taken out of plainclothes and are being investigated by internal affairs.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.