Legal claims allege women in SF jail were filmed during strip searches

SF deputies accused of filming women during jail strip searches

Legal claims filed with the city allege at least 19 women at a San Francisco jail were forced to strip and be searched in front of sheriff’s deputies who taunted them and filmed the ordeal.

SAN FRANCISCO - New legal claims filed with the city last week allege at least 19 women who were being held at a San Francisco jail were forced to strip and be searched in front of sheriff’s deputies who taunted them and filmed the ordeal.

The claims allege the women were subjected to "a mass, unlawful, and degrading strip search" on May 22 while they were being housed in the B-Pod at the San Francisco County Jail.

"I am honored to represent these 19 brave women," said Elizabeth Bertolino, the attorney representing the women. "What they endured is gender-based violence carried out under the color of authority. Their voices are going to drive real change, and we will work relentlessly to ensure this ends with systemic reform."

The San Francisco Public Defender's Office also sent a complaint on Sept. 25 to the San Francisco Sheriff's Office and the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability on behalf of 18 women who were among the detainees allegedly subjected to the May 22 strip searches.

Allegations of ‘unlawful’ strip searches at San Francisco jail

The backstory:

According to that claim, the searches were conducted "without advance notice and without any individualized suspicion of contraband or weapons," as is required by Penal Code section 4030.

They were also not conducted in a private space, and the complaint filed by the San Francisco Public Defender's Office alleges that while female deputies conducted the actual searches, they were performed where several male deputies and other detainees – even those who were not themselves being searched – could see.

"Deputies activated body-worn cameras during the strip searches despite a specific policy prohibiting that practice, and a supervising sergeant taunted the women that their nude videos could be posted online," the legal claim said. "The women were not given clean clothing after the searches, which increased their humiliation and discomfort."

Many of the women who were searched were left crying and "emotionally devastated," and "many felt that they were being punished rather than legitimately searched."

It's further alleged that after the May 22 search, the women were subjected to continuous harassment and intimidation, including "sexual comments about their breasts and buttocks" and at least one instance where a deputy who participated in the searches groped a detainee.

"Multiple women have filed written grievances about the May 22 search and related misconduct in B-Pod," the claims said. "Others have expressed fear of reprisals if they speak out. The widespread nature of the complaints, combined with the involvement of supervisory personnel, indicates not an isolated incident but a serious and ongoing problem within B-Pod and the Sheriff’s Department."

Because of the alleged searches, the claims said several of the women have suffered from trauma and injuries such as "severe emotional distress, humiliation, shame, anxiety, loss of sleep, fear of retaliation, and a loss of sense of safety and dignity," as well as fear and vicarious trauma for those who were forced to witness the alleged searches.

What's next:

The legal counsel representing the women said that the victims wish to remain anonymous. The women are seeking unspecified damages from the city for "past and future emotional distress, for violation of their statutory and constitutional rights, for their loss of dignity and privacy, and for all other damages recoverable under California law, including damages available under the Bane Act and the Gender-Based Violence Act."

"Claimants respectfully request that the City and County of San Francisco accept this claim for damages, acknowledge the wrongful conduct of its employees, and take prompt and effective steps to correct the policies, practices, supervision, and culture that led to the… strip search and the continuing harassment and gender-based violence in B-Pod," the claim said.

SF Sheriff's Office aware of allegations

The other side:

The San Francisco Sheriff's Office told KTVU that the department is aware of the allegations outlined in the claim, and said that the department could not comment on the details of an investigation into the claims.

However, the SFSO added that "appropriate personnel action was taken" in the wake of the allegations.

"The conduct described is deeply concerning and does not reflect the policies, procedures, or professional standards we require of our staff," the department told KTVU. "We want to acknowledge the women who came forward. Every complaint raised within our facilities is taken seriously, and we remain committed to ensuring that all individuals in our care are treated with dignity, respect, and in full accordance with our policies and procedures."

KTVU reached out to the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability for comment, but did not hear back prior to publication.