San Jose Investigating Scantily Clad Woman on Engine In Front of Strip Club

The crew of a San Jose engine company is under investigation after a video surface last week showing a scantily clad woman exiting the cab and entering a strip club. The video first surfaced on Instagram and quickly got the attention of local officials, including San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and Fire Chief Robert Sapien, Jr.

The engine was parked in front of the Pink Poodle Strip Club and the Instagram post referred to the woman as a stripper, although that has not been confirmed. Fox News quoted Chief Sapien as saying in a written statement:

  • If findings of an internal investigation reveal inappropriate behavior of any Department members, appropriate steps will be taken to address the matter.
  • The City of San José Code of Ethics policy guides the conduct of all City employees.
  • All City of San José employees are expected to adhere to the Code of Ethics Policy they have agreed to as a condition of their employment.

Mayor Liccardo was quoted as saying:

  • If the investigation concludes that this video is as bad as it looks, then heads must roll.
  • We cannot have a life-critical emergency rescue apparatus relegated to a frat party bus, nor tolerate any conduct that so demeans the heroic work of the rest of our SJFD team.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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