San Francisco Police Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Police sexual harassment can be a form of police brutality or misconduct against a civilian as well as a type of workplace sexual harassment against a fellow cop. Either way, the victim may be left with questions, stress and uncertainty about the future. At Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, our attorneys represent victims of San Francisco police sexual harassment to help them seek justice. 

We understand the nuances of these complex cases and will work relentlessly to protect you when going up against the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) or another powerful defendant. Contact us to begin with a free and confidential case consultation.

Why Choose Our San Francisco Police Sexual Harassment Lawyers?

• We are proud to be America’s leading sexual assault and abuse law firm, with a long history of successfully representing clients around the nation.
• Our lawyers have secured groundbreaking results for past clients. We have collected millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for sexual assault, abuse and harassment survivors.
• We accept police sexual harassment cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe us anything in legal fees unless we secure financial compensation for you.

Examples of Police Sexual Harassment

Police officers hold positions of power in the community. Unfortunately, this can make it easier for them to take advantage of civilians for the purposes of sexual arousal, gratification or abuse in the performance of their duties. These crimes can take the form of sexual harassment or crimes such as physical sexual assault. Common examples of police sexual harassment include: 

• Requesting or demanding sexual favors
• Inappropriately touching your private parts
• Kissing, fondling or groping you
• Unnecessary pat downs, physical searches or body cavity searches
• Crude remarks or lewd comments about your sex or physical appearance
• Inappropriate jokes of a sexual nature
• Forcing you to look at pornography or sexually explicit images
• Taking explicit or naked photographs of you while detained
• Threats or blackmail involving sexual acts
• Discrimination based on your sex
• Racial profiling or homophobic actions
• Unlawful or excessive use of force
• Police conspiracy or filing false reports
• Sexual assault or abuse, including rape or forced oral sex
• Any type of sexual activity (even consensual) with a cop while you are in custody

If a police officer or any other person working in an official law enforcement capacity in San Francisco sexually harassed or assaulted you, you have rights. No police officer has the authority to sexually harass or abuse others, including people they have detained or arrested. You are entitled to due process, which means being treated as innocent until proven guilty, as well as basic human rights.

Police-on-Police Sexual Harassment

Police sexual harassment is also something that affects other officials in law enforcement positions. This can refer to sexual harassment between two people on the same level in the department or supervisor-subordinate sexual harassment. Working as an officer or staff member at the SFPD could mean suffering from quid pro quo or hostile work environment sexual harassment from one or more parties. 

Quid pro quo means “this for that,” where a person in a position of power in the office makes requests for sexual favors in exchange for benefits, such as promotions. A hostile work environment means the office has a pervasive culture of sexual harassment that makes you feel unwelcome or unsafe. Both types of sexual harassment can lead to emotional distress, psychological damage, lost wages and many other types of harm.

Retaliation for Reporting Sexual Harassment in Law Enforcement

If you come forward and report sexual harassment by a supervisor or coworker in the police department, know that you are protected from retaliation. Retaliation means taking adverse employment action against a worker for reporting a crime or violation, including sexual harassment or assault. You cannot lawfully get fired or demoted for reporting sexual harassment. If you are retaliated against for reporting sexual misconduct at the SFPD, you can file a second claim against the department for additional financial compensation for this type of wrongdoing.

What to Do About Sexual Harassment by the San Francisco Police

After suffering from sexual harassment by the police as a civilian, detainee or fellow cop, start building your case by gathering evidence. Write down a detailed description of exactly what happened while it is still fresh in your mind. Include the names of everyone involved and any eyewitnesses. If you are employed by the SFPD, tell a different supervisor or someone higher up in the department about what happened. Make note of whom you spoke with and how they responded or did not respond to your complaint. 

If you are not a police officer, it can be daunting to report sexual misconduct by law enforcement. You will most likely be filing a report with the department where the perpetrator works. This is why you should do more than just report what happened to the police. You should schedule a free case consultation with a sexual harassment attorney at Manly, Stewart & Finaldi to get help. We can ensure that your story gets heard and your report is seen by the correct people – and taken seriously. Our law office can also help you collect evidence to support your case. 

In addition, you should go to a hospital in San Francisco for prompt medical care if you were sexually assaulted by a police officer. You can request a sexual assault forensic examination, where trained medical professionals will examine you for injuries and evidence of sexual misconduct. You will also have the opportunity to speak to a counselor to address the mental and emotional side of being a sexual assault or harassment survivor.

Were You Sexually Harassed by the Police in San Francisco? We Can Help

Working with an attorney can give you an ally to fight against the San Francisco police in a sexual harassment case. We are not afraid of going up against powerful adversaries, including the SFPD and the government in California. Our attorneys are prepared to investigate the act of police misconduct, interview eyewitnesses, file a claim before California’s deadline and take your case to trial, if necessary. Our San Francisco police sexual abuse lawyers can protect you by keeping your identity anonymous throughout the legal process, if desired. 

Whether you were a civilian or a police officer yourself at the time of the incident, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the offender for sexual harassment. Learn more about your rights and how we can help during a free and confidential case review in San Francisco. Call (800) 700-8450 or contact us online today. We will believe you.