A training exercise conducted by the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department took a turn for the worse on Tuesday when dozens of students and staff at a nearby elementary school were exposed to chemicals.
Tara Moriarty, director of public affairs for the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department, told Fox News Digital that deputies will conduct a two-hour crowd control training session in a “secluded section” of the San Bruno Jail starting at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday. He said that while he was participating in the event, chemicals entered the building. The damage spread beyond the designated training area and affected the community of San Bruno, including the school.
The San Francisco Sheriff’s Department notified the San Bruno Police and Fire departments in advance of the drill, which will include testing for chemicals such as CS (2-chlorobenzylidene malonitrile) gas and OC gas (oleoresin capsicum, commonly known as pepper spray).
Moriarty said both irritants are commonly used by law enforcement as a non-lethal means to subdue combative and violent suspects.
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Hazardous substance training by San Francisco sheriff’s officers ultimately affected children and staff at an elementary school near San Bruno. (KTVU)
“Such training is critical to law enforcement because it allows officers to test equipment for safety and predict potential leaks. It also provides officers with hands-on experience with chemicals and exposes them to real-world situations. “It gives you an opportunity to prepare both physically and mentally,” Moriarty said.
“Unfortunately, gas from inside the building drifted to a nearby elementary school, where teachers and students reported experiencing symptoms including burning in their eyes, nose, and throat,” she continued.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that dozens of students and teachers at Portola Elementary School were affected by the chemical.
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Officials confirmed that about 20 students and teachers said they were affected by chemicals released during a training session by the sheriff’s office on Tuesday. (KTVU)
Interim Principal John Nazar told KTVU he walked the perimeter of the school to determine what was causing all the problems, but only learned later that it was tear gas and pepper spray.
“It was very strange,” Nazell said, adding that she didn’t know whether to let her children outside or inside. “It was challenging.”
Moriarty acknowledged that the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department and other Bay Area law enforcement agencies have been training at the site for more than 20 years.
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Officials confirmed that children and staff at San Bruno Elementary School became ill as a result of a tear gas drill by the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday. (KTVU)
“This is an unprecedented situation and we are taking this very seriously,” Moriarty said.
Speaking on behalf of the school community, Moriarty acknowledged that it must have been frightening for children and apologised to school officials.
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“We sincerely apologize to Portola Elementary School, its faculty, staff, students and their families for this unexpected event that must have been especially frightening for the children. Our command staff visited the school in person to explain what happened and apologize for this incident.” – Tara Moriarty, Public Information Officer for the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department
Moriarty continued, “In light of this incident, the department is rescheduling all future chemical agent training while reviewing current practices to ensure the safety of neighbors and minimize the impact on the community.” There will be a pause,” he said.
