San Francisco Police Officer Suspended In Cover-Up
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A San Francisco police officer accused of instructing a rookie officer to lie about a suspect's escape won't be fired for the cover-up.
The San Francisco Chronicle says the Police Commission decided this week that Lionel Sevilla will be suspended for nine months for the 2003 incident, which became a symbol of problems in the Police Department's disciplinary system.
Police Chief George Gascon has complained that keeping veteran officers accused of misconduct, which can hamper prosecutions, leaves highly paid sworn cops on the force who are only fit for desk assignments. Gascon wanted to fire Sevilla.
Sevilla was working as a training officer with a rookie when he removed handcuffs from a suspect who needed to use the bathroom.
The suspect fled and Sevilla told the rookie to lie about it.
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