Advocates Demand Investigation After Women Say SF Jail Deputies Recorded Strip Searches | KQED

"Attorneys said the incident violated multiple laws and department policies, which state that male deputies should not be present when women are strip-searched, except in emergency situations, and that body-worn cameras cannot be activated. The searches must also happen in private areas and cannot be performed indiscriminately. "By antagonizing the women and taunting them with threats of publishing the video - and even with making the videos in the first place - they violated policies put in place to ensure everyone is treated with respect," Chan continued."

"The Sheriff's Office said it was aware of the allegations and takes complaints seriously. "The conduct described is deeply concerning and does not reflect the policies, procedures, or professional standards we require of our staff," spokesperson Tara Moriarty said via email. She said "personnel action" was taken in response to the complaints, but she did not specify and she denied the allegations of a mass strip search by deputies. "Rather, women were individually searched by female deputies in single-person stalls," the statement reads."

"City attorney's office spokesperson Alex Barrett-Shorter said via email that the office was reviewing the claims and would respond to the claimants. According to Chan's report, multiple women had already filed grievances about the May incident and similar situations that had occurred in a different housing area. At least some of the women whom the public defender's office spoke to are now a part of the government claim filed last week by Bertolino. "Many more fear reprisals for speaking out about their treatment," Chan wrote."

Attorneys contend the incident breached multiple laws and department policies prohibiting male deputies during women's strip-searches except in emergencies and barring activation of body-worn cameras. Searches are required to occur in private areas and must not be performed indiscriminately. Deputies allegedly antagonized women and threatened to publish videos, undermining policies intended to ensure respectful treatment. The Sheriff's Office acknowledged complaints, called the conduct concerning, reported personnel action, denied a mass strip search, and said female deputies conducted individual searches in single-person stalls. Multiple women filed grievances, some joined a government claim, many fear reprisals, and calls for independent oversight followed.

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