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CIVIL LIBERTIES

Cop Moonlighting as Fantasy Photographer Claims Civil Rights Violation

He accuses the SFPD of wrongly suspending him for his unusual photo work

Aug 27, 2012 by Dain Fitzgerald

Staff Writer t +

Image: Gared Hansen

Police sketch artists have nothing on the art being made by San Francisco police officer Gared Hansen, unless your typical perp is a mermaid, vampire or fire goddess.

The 36-year old civil servant with an off-duty interest in erotic, fantasy photography has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit charging the city of San Francisco for unjustly suspending him due to his downtime hobby. And while the investigation that launched the suspension was partly spurred by the discovery of Hansen trespassing in an abandoned hotel to take photos of models (posing as ghosts), he says that the personal activity had nothing to do with his job.

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?	Should Hansen's photography have any bearing on his police work?

24 Comments (view in Forum)

Aug '12

Thunderchicken

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Yeah it's a little kinky but I can't see punishing they guy over it. I guess SFPD has nothing better to do? Besides the fire chick is kinda cool.
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Aug '12

Fishbone345

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Agreed, but I'd sure like to see a bit more of the story from the other side. The revelation that this was caused by him Trespassing and subsequent investigation started sorta gets lost in his claims of Civil Right's Violations.
I didn't read anywhere in the story a mention of them firing him over the incident. He committed a crime. A minor one, but there it is. He's a cop, he should know better.
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Aug '12

Thunderchicken

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@Fishbone345

And be punished by a court for the crime. Not through his job.
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Aug '12

Fishbone345

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@Thunderchicken Agreed, but again we have his word so far. Most people will claim they are free of fault when things begin to happen to them on the job.
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Aug '12

MongoAPillager

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l bet she gives a hickey like back in school days
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Aug '12

JpMonty

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Agreed!!! Why is any of their business what he does in his down time?!?!? It seems to me that the SFPD are doing what I expected them to be doing! INTRUDING INTO PEOPLES PRIVATE LIVES!!!
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Aug '12

Sonny

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I hope he wins his law suite..
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Aug '12

FollowTheMoney

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San Francisco is judging people for being kinky. Who'd of thunk it.
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Aug '12

Cobra

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This is absolutely ridiculous. It's not like he's an exotic dancer or a pornstar.
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Aug '12

VCP

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Yeah like the one who supports Romney's campaign!!
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Aug '12

Keyjo

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I like vampires.
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Aug '12

Bobolinsky

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Isn't this weird coming out of San Francisco? It's like they're bi-polar or something. Sex in the streets during the gay pride parade, but a cop taking naughty pictures in his off-time is verboten. Just weird.
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Aug '12

ir0nw0lfe

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Like I posted earlier, this is SF. Seems like he should fit right in.
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Aug '12

AlexanderKM

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Ja, streng verboten.
It must be because he didn't like taking pictures of butt faeries. xD
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Aug '12

Bstart

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He should be charged with trespassing, he is a police officer who is abusing his powers and breaking a law that he has punished others for. Yes I realize he shouldn't be suspended, but really old hotels, sounds suspicous if you ask me.
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Aug '12

tomincali

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he must have drew someone smoking a cigarette,s.f. really frown on cigarettes.
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Aug '12

Souljah

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Id like to see the rest of that picture to assure it's being done in good taste...O+ to be exact .. hahahahaha
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Feb '13

ShamrockKnight

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Illegally trespassng has everything to do with your job, law breaker -- whether as photographer or night stalker, Pilrim! You broke the law, officer! Deal with the consequences! Don't do the crime if you can't do he time! Don't do it! Don't do it! Keep your eye on the sparrow when the going gets narrow, Baretta!
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Feb '13

ShamrockKnight

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... Pilgrim ...
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Feb '13

ShamrockKnight

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His trespassing should have a bearing on his job!
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