Overview
- A government claim filed last week alleges at least 19 women in the jail’s B-Pod were subjected on May 22 to unlawful strip searches that were recorded on body-worn cameras and accompanied by taunts.
- The filing cites violations of California Penal Code section 4030 and details ongoing harassment, including sexual comments and an alleged groping by a deputy.
- At a Monday rally outside the 7th Street jail, attorneys and organizers called for suspending the involved deputies pending an investigation and for funding independent oversight of the Sheriff’s Department.
- The Sheriff’s Office said it is aware of the complaints, denied that a mass search occurred, described individual searches by female deputies in single-person stalls, and reported unspecified personnel action.
- City officials said the claims are under review, supervisors urged stronger oversight and a hearing has been proposed, and prior grievances from detainees were noted by the public defender’s office.