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San Francisco Police Chief Apologizes for Raid of Journalist’s Home San Francisco Police Chief Apologizes for Raid of Journalist’s Home
(about 5 hours later)
The chief of the San Francisco Police Department apologized on Friday for a police raid at the home of a Bay Area freelance journalist in an effort to discover his confidential sources.The chief of the San Francisco Police Department apologized on Friday for a police raid at the home of a Bay Area freelance journalist in an effort to discover his confidential sources.
“I’m sorry that this happened,” the chief, William Scott, told The San Francisco Chronicle. “I’m sorry to the people of San Francisco. I’m sorry to the mayor. We have to fix it. We know there were some concerns in that investigation and we know we have to fix it.”“I’m sorry that this happened,” the chief, William Scott, told The San Francisco Chronicle. “I’m sorry to the people of San Francisco. I’m sorry to the mayor. We have to fix it. We know there were some concerns in that investigation and we know we have to fix it.”
The freelance journalist, Bryan Carmody, was targeted by the police in May after his reporting on the death of Jeff Adachi, a public defender, was used by local news outlets.The freelance journalist, Bryan Carmody, was targeted by the police in May after his reporting on the death of Jeff Adachi, a public defender, was used by local news outlets.
Mr. Carmody reported to the local television stations that Mr. Adachi had collapsed in front of a woman who was not his wife, information that he got from a police report that had not been publicly released.Mr. Carmody reported to the local television stations that Mr. Adachi had collapsed in front of a woman who was not his wife, information that he got from a police report that had not been publicly released.
In an attempt to find out who gave Mr. Carmody the police report, the police obtained a search warrant, raided his apartment and held him in handcuffs for six hours.In an attempt to find out who gave Mr. Carmody the police report, the police obtained a search warrant, raided his apartment and held him in handcuffs for six hours.
“I am specifically concerned by a lack of due diligence by department investigators in seeking search warrants and appropriately addressing Mr. Carmody’s status as a member of the news media,” Chief Scott said in a statement separate from his comments to The Chronicle. “This has raised important questions about our handling of this case and whether the California shield law was violated.”“I am specifically concerned by a lack of due diligence by department investigators in seeking search warrants and appropriately addressing Mr. Carmody’s status as a member of the news media,” Chief Scott said in a statement separate from his comments to The Chronicle. “This has raised important questions about our handling of this case and whether the California shield law was violated.”
The shield law protects journalists if they refuse to disclose sources, or refuse to disclose unpublished information, such as notes and recorded interviews and photographs. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the raid, and the Society of Professional Journalists was among numerous organizations that demanded that Mr. Carmody’s equipment and notes be returned to him, which were after a court hearing.The shield law protects journalists if they refuse to disclose sources, or refuse to disclose unpublished information, such as notes and recorded interviews and photographs. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the raid, and the Society of Professional Journalists was among numerous organizations that demanded that Mr. Carmody’s equipment and notes be returned to him, which were after a court hearing.
The national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, J. Alex Tarquinio, said on Saturday that the California shield law was definitely violated in this instance.The national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, J. Alex Tarquinio, said on Saturday that the California shield law was definitely violated in this instance.
“It is illegal,” Ms. Tarquinio said in an interview. “The California shield law clearly protects journalist from this kind of search and seizure of their equipment and notes and records.”“It is illegal,” Ms. Tarquinio said in an interview. “The California shield law clearly protects journalist from this kind of search and seizure of their equipment and notes and records.”
Mr. Carmody declined to comment, but his lawyer, Ben Berkowitz, said in a statement that he hoped journalists around the country would not get used to this kind of behavior by the authorities.Mr. Carmody declined to comment, but his lawyer, Ben Berkowitz, said in a statement that he hoped journalists around the country would not get used to this kind of behavior by the authorities.
“It is a troubling and alarming time for journalists in this country,” he said. “They have, unfortunately, grown all too accustomed to daily assaults on their profession. The principle at stake here is one that is fundamental to our democracy — the press must be free to investigate and report without fear of police intimidation.”“It is a troubling and alarming time for journalists in this country,” he said. “They have, unfortunately, grown all too accustomed to daily assaults on their profession. The principle at stake here is one that is fundamental to our democracy — the press must be free to investigate and report without fear of police intimidation.”
Ms. Tarquinio said there was no excuse for the raid and called it unconscionable.Ms. Tarquinio said there was no excuse for the raid and called it unconscionable.
“It is difficult to imagine this happening before the last two to three years,” Ms. Tarquinio said. “This is part of a climate that has been growing in this country which is a direct result of the anti-press rhetoric.”“It is difficult to imagine this happening before the last two to three years,” Ms. Tarquinio said. “This is part of a climate that has been growing in this country which is a direct result of the anti-press rhetoric.”
Chief Scott said the Police Department would conduct an “independent, impartial investigation by a separate investigatory body” at the request of Mayor London Breed on the unauthorized release of the police report. The department will also review its protocols involving journalists.Chief Scott said the Police Department would conduct an “independent, impartial investigation by a separate investigatory body” at the request of Mayor London Breed on the unauthorized release of the police report. The department will also review its protocols involving journalists.
“One would expect this level of disregard for an autocratic country without the First Amendment,” Ms. Tarquinio said. “In this country, journalists have the right to gather and report. A very dangerous precedent has been set.”“One would expect this level of disregard for an autocratic country without the First Amendment,” Ms. Tarquinio said. “In this country, journalists have the right to gather and report. A very dangerous precedent has been set.”
In a statement, the police union, the San Francisco Police Officers Association, called for the chief’s resignation, saying he was extensively involved in the investigation of Mr. Carmody and knew of his status as a freelance journalist.
“A true leader accepts responsibility,” the statement said. “Chief Scott oversaw and ordered the investigation and raid of a journalist’s home, and then when the optics did not go his way, he threw the men and women who carried out his orders under a double-decker bus.”
Chief Scott could not be reached for comment on Saturday.