By Alan Sanchez, Mission Local
Gared Hansen, 36, a San Francisco police officer for seven years, has been taking heat for his hobby, erotic photography, for almost as long as he has worked at Mission station.
Hansen has received two multiday suspensions for his hobby, once in 2009 and again in January of this year. After the last suspension, Hansen sought legal recourse.
On Aug. 9, Hansen filed suit in federal court in Oakland, charging the department with violating his First Amendment right to freedom of expression.
Hansen’s problems began in 2009 after word got around the department about his hobby, and although he says his friends at work did not mind, someone within the department did. An anonymous letter was sent to Internal Affairs, after which an investigation began and Hansen was admonished for his off-duty hobby.
“During the first investigation, I think whoever was writing it realized it was a First Amendment issue, and so … tried to say that my photography … brought discredit upon the department,” Hansen said.
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