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SAN FRANCISCO -- Police Chief Earl Sanders and other department leaders have been indicted for allegedly covering up a brawl between off-duty officers and a bartender over a bag of fajitas, but Sanders will remain in command of the city's law enforcement agency.
A total of 10 officers were indicted on felony charges, including three charged with beating two men in front of a bar just after closing time. But late Friday, the city's Police Commission expressed faith in Sanders and decided to leave him on the job.
The chief "has the full support of the commission in carrying out his duties and responsibilities," the panel said in a written statement.
Sanders, Assistant Chief Alex Fagan and Deputy Chief David Robinson were among the seven indicted on one count each of conspiring to obstruct justice. Fagan's son, Alex Fagan Jr., is of one of the officers charged with assault and battery.
All the indicted officers had been booked and released by late Friday. The seven indicted for obstruction were released on their own recognizance, and the three officers charged with assault were released on bail, sheriff's department officials said.
After a two-hour, closed-door session Friday night, the Police Commission announced the decision about Sanders, but also said the panel will meet again Monday to discuss the department's future.
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The Police Commission acted after San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, who appointed Sanders chief in July, urged that the indicted commanders be allowed to retain command.
"I don't think they deserve to be so vilified," Brown told the commissioners.
Brown also said California Attorney General Bill Lockyer should investigate the indictments. A spokesman for Lockyer could not immediately be reached for comment.
Earlier, Brown said the indictments were an overreaction by District Attorney Terence Hallinan, a political rival.
The indictments, handed down late Thursday, stem from a November incident outside the Blue Light bar. Bartender Adam Snyder has said he and a friend, Jade Santoro, were walking to their cars when they were accosted by the officers, who demanded Snyder's bag of steak fajitas. When he refused, Snyder said, he and Santoro were attacked.<
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