Tear gas training exercises banned at San Bruno Jail

The site has held similar training sessions for more than 30 years, according to the Sheriff’s Office. This was the first time an incident like this has occurred.

San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto decided it will also be the last. 

“I’ve come to the decision that we must be responsive to the community and reevaluate our training practices,” Yamamoto said in a letter going out to the San Mateo County community. “Going forward, the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office will not use active chemical agents in training exercises on the San Bruno jail grounds.” 

While Miyamoto said he believes such trainings are vital for his staff, he said it must “never be done in a way that may pose harm to the community.” 

San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa, who represents the unincorporated area where the school is located, said it takes bold leadership to admit wrongdoing and take accountable action. 

“More than just acknowledging it, but looking at protocols and processes in place,” he said. “I think it was understanding that, ‘we need to improve and to say it will never happen again because we have a permanent ban.’” 

After months of receiving letters from surrounding neighbors about the impact this incident had on their lives, Canepa said he was committed to working with the Sheriff’s Office on coming to an appropriate resolution. 

This decision has been long awaited, Matthew Duffy, San Bruno Park School District superintendent, said.

“We are very happy with that news,” Duffy said in an email. “We have a number of families who are still shocked and upset by what happened on May 21 and have been waiting to hear this news.”

The SFSO said it also will look to increase and better its rapid communication by expanding its use of the San Mateo County SMC Alert system to notify residents about planned events or emergency situations that could impact neighbors. 

SMC Alert is a free mass notification system that provides public safety agencies the ability to immediately contact the community. Residents can sign up at smcgov.org/dem/smc-alert for text notifications or voice messages. 

“I hope for the community and the neighborhood and those affected by this, I hope this will bring them more comfort,” Canepa said.  

The San Francisco Jail in San Bruno originally opened in 1934 to help with overcrowding. After falling into disrepair, a new jail opened in 2006.

Anyone affected seeking reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical expenses can reach out to SFSO.SBincidentMay21@sfgov.org to discuss individual claims.