San Francisco sheriff announces retirement

The Associated Press
Posted: 02/19/2011 12:27:42 PM PST


SAN FRANCISCO—San Francisco's sheriff's is retiring after 31 years on the job.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Michael Hennessey told staff in a memo on Friday that he will not seek reelection this November. Hennessey has been elected to serve as sheriff eight times.

He oversees a staff of nearly 1,000 employees, who run San Francisco's jails and provide security in the county courts and at City Hall.

Hennessey has gained national attention for his opposition to a federal program that automatically checks the fingerprints of detained immigrants against databases to determine whether they are in the country illegally or have committed crimes.

Hennessey said San Francisco's participation could violate the city's sanctuary protections for illegal immigrants.

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