S.F. cop at center of brutality suits fired

[alp227]

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

A San Francisco police officer who was taken off field duty four years ago after a flurry of complaints and brutality lawsuits that have cost the city more than $400,000 has been fired over charges of abusive conduct stemming from a 2007 incident, The Chronicle has learned.

Jesse Serna, 45, who was on the force for 16 years, was put on desk duty in 2007 by then-Police Chief Heather Fong after a string of incidents involving use of force, including one in 2006 that led to a $385,000 civil settlement.

Chief Greg Suhr declined to comment on Serna's July 13 dismissal by the Police Commission, saying he could not talk about a confidential personnel matter. Serna could not be reached for comment.

A Chronicle analysis of records from 1996 to 2004 showed that Serna accounted for more use of force incidents than any other San Francisco officer. He has been named in seven lawsuits, and the allegations that triggered his ouster stem from a Feb. 24, 2007, incident involving two couples whose suits are still pending.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/22/BAOH1KD1TO.DTL

[Mosby]

1. Gee, it only took 4 years to fire him.

I wonder why.

[aquamarina]

2. Wonder if they took away his pension.

I would hope that if you were fired for cause, you would lose your right to a pension (less any direct contributions) as well.

[saras]

3. They didn't mind the violence, but they finally realized they were losing money...

[Courtesy Flush]

4. That's what I was thinking. nt