Michael Robison, SFPD officer in offensive-text scandal, resigns

Michael Robison, one of the San Francisco police officers identified in a department probe of racist and homophobic text messages, was featured on the cover of the Advocate, a magazine that caters to gay readers, in March 1998, six years after joining the department as an openly gay man. less Michael Robison, one of the San Francisco police officers identified in a department probe of racist and homophobic text messages, was featured on the cover of the Advocate, a magazine that caters to gay ... more Photo: Courtesy The Advocate Photo: Courtesy The Advocate Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Michael Robison, SFPD officer in offensive-text scandal, resigns 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A San Francisco police officer identified as being among four members of the department involved in sending racist and homophobic text messages has resigned, his attorney said.

Michael Robison, 46, a 23-year veteran, had been transferred from the special victims unit to the horse mounted unit as the department investigated his role in the affair. He resigned Wednesday, said attorney Tony Brass.

“It is a very difficult situation for any police officer to see a future past this scandal,” Brass said. “It was a very tough decision. He loves the department and is very proud of his time working in the department.”

Three other officers — identified by multiple sources as Noel Schwab, Michael Celis and Rain Daugherty — remain under investigation for texts they swapped with former Sgt. Ian Furminger in 2011 and 2012.

The texts — laced with racial and homophobic epithets — came to light when federal prosecutors were investigating Furminger for allegedly stealing items from suspects during searches. Prosecutors made the messages public in a court filing last week seeking to block Furminger from being released on bail during his appeal of a 40-month sentence for his conviction on corruption charges.

The Police Department is also investigating 10 other officers, including at least one captain, for possible involvement in the case, sources told The Chronicle.

Robison, who came out as gay before being hired in 1992, had come under intense pressure after word of his involvement in the texts became public, Brass said.

“This has created a real concern on the part of the community, which is understandable,” Brass said. “As an openly gay police officer, Mike Robison well understands what it is like to be victimized by bigotry. He is very remorseful for any comments he made that would cause that type of hurt to anyone.”

Chief Greg Suhr has said he will seek to fire officers involved in sending the messages, saying keeping anyone on the force who would send them “makes me sick to my stomach.”

Prosecutors with District Attorney George Gascón’s office are reviewing hundreds of cases involving police work done by Robison and the other officers to determine whether they may have been tainted by racial bias or discrimination against gays.

Jaxon Van Derbeken is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jvanderbeken@sfchronicle.com