Comments on: San Francisco Cop Suspended for His Photo Hobby

By: NickBernardsen

NickBernardsen — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 14:18:00 +0000

Well, the full article said he was trespassing and “identified himself” as a cop. Now, tresspassing with two half-naked women and then flashing one’s badge, that does Indeed shed a bad light on the police force.

By: Jon Dize aka DIZEMAN

Jon Dize aka DIZEMAN — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:36:00 +0000

Doesn’t matter what we think, the departmental policy and the contract agreement he signed when he joined the force states the cannot participate in anything that would cast a negative light on the police department or City of San Francisco, even in his off duty hours. No! His off duty time is not his own to do as he wishes, he signed away that right when he joined the force.

Many corporate employees do the same thing when they sign employment contracts.

The Police Protective Association will likely cut a deal so he gets a break, they are the police union and do what unions do.

By: OneDfulYno

OneDfulYno — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 08:32:00 +0000

All you guys missed the point here… it’s not all about his hobby but his improper use of his ‘badge’ for his personal use. It is punishable by fine, suspension, or termination if an off duty cop used his badge or just saying he’s with the PD to get favors that you couldn’t. Obviously, that’s what this cop did. That’s all.

By: Domagoj Kunic

Domagoj Kunic — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 21:17:00 +0000

What do you expect from cops anyway? Maybe he should have smuggled drugs or something in his spare time…he would have got some nice pats on the back instead…

By: Jerry Jackson

Jerry Jackson — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 19:43:00 +0000

The ONLY reason the SFPD “should” suspend this guy is if he was acting in his role as a SFPD officer during these nude shoots … as in, “Hey, let me pull over my squad car next to the beach and take some pictures of naked women while I’m wearing my uniform.”

If he wasn’t actively on duty and wasn’t actively representing the SFPD then they have no business telling him what he can or cannot do in his free time … as long as he isn’t breaking any laws. Maybe if he was shooting in a public area and didn’t have a permit then they can suspend him for “breaking the law” because he didn’t have the correct permits for location photography … but that’s about it.

However, as an earlier comment points out, most police departments hold officers to a higher (almost unreasonable) standard. For example, I’m friends with a police officer in my home town and I once asked him why he always carries a gun (even to school functions for his kids) when he isn’t on duty. He told me, “When I took this job I was told ‘you are ALWAYS on duty … even when you aren’t on duty’ and so I’m a cop 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

By: California1958

California1958 — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 17:25:00 +0000

Really, the most liberal, sanctuary city in the world thinks this is in bad taste… what about letting a multi convicted illegal immigrant free to roam the city and kill a family of three – simply for driving down the wrong street. In bad taste in the city of free love this guy needs a promotion!

By: Ralph Hightower

Ralph Hightower — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 15:47:00 +0000

In the Slate article, sheriff deputies encountered him tresspassing on private property. I can’t do that: trespass on private property. I would get arrested!

He said “It’s okay. I’m an SFPD officer.”

So police officers even when off duty have a right to trespass on private property?

By: NoLiberals

NoLiberals — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 13:28:00 +0000

The SFPD reflect badly upon the SFPD. It’s a horrible example of “protect and serve”

By: bottley1

bottley1 — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 09:30:00 +0000

incomprehensible decision by SFPD!

By: ag70

ag70 — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 01:39:00 +0000

I know very little about art and am just getting into photography, so far be it from me to critique anyone’s work, but I think the images on his site (via Slate) would raise a red flag with any reasonable employer. To me, there is nothing morally wrong with the images (doesn’t mean I like them), but if there’s a line between artistic and slightly creepy, I think they fall on the slightly creepy side. Perhaps he just needs more experience to get the artistic look he’s seeking.