S.F. sheriff Ross Mirkarimi begins domestic violence class after incident involving his wife

(CBS) SAN FRANCISCO - Suspended San Francisco sheriff Ross Mirkarimi appeared at the city's Hall of Justice Thursday to begin attending a domestic violation program as one condition of his recent guilty plea for an incident involving his wife. 

"I look forward to the program," Mirkarimi said as reporters chased him through the halls.

CBS San Francisco reports that after going through security, Mirkarimi met with his probation officer, and took an orientation class on domestic violence.

When asked if the experience had been surreal, he responded, "Yes, to say the least."

Mirkarimi was sentenced Monday to three years' probation, 100 hours of community service and one year of domestic violence counseling, among other penalties, after pleading guilty last week to a misdemeanor false imprisonment charge in connection with an incident on New Year's Eve involving his wife.

Mayor Ed Lee on Wednesday suspended Mirkarimi without pay on official misconduct charges, which will be considered by the city's Ethics Commission at a hearing in the coming days.

The commission will then make a non-binding recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, which would need nine of the 11 supervisors' support for Mirkarimi to be removed from office.

Before being suspended, Mirkarimi said, "I do not believe that the conduct that I have taken responsibility for constitutes official misconduct" and said he looks forward to arguing his case with the Ethics Commission and Board of Supervisors.

Complete coverage of Ross Mirkarimi on Crimesider