San Francisco’s police chief said Friday that he had moved to dismiss seven officers who sent or received text messages that spoke of lynching African-Americans and burning crosses.

Greg Suhr, the police chief, said Friday that the texts, sent by the officers in 2011 and 2012, "are of such despicable thinking that those responsible clearly fall below the minimum standards required to be a police officer.”

The messages — which included one that said, simply, “White Power,” as well as others with denigrating comments about homosexuals, Mexicans and Filipinos — were sent or received by as many as 14 officers in the department, the police said.

Officials have acknowledged that the texts have shaken confidence in the Police Department, which is responsible for public safety in a city that has long prided itself on inclusiveness and open-mindedness, has a large gay and lesbian population, and is among the most racially diverse cities in the country.