San Francisco Police Watchdog Chief Faces Backlash Over Drag Show Held at Agency Headquarters

Footage shows agency director Paul Henderson enthusiastically participating in Pride-themed event, sparking lawsuit alleging unprofessional workplace culture

Mar. 22, 2026 at 4:08pm by Ben Kaplan

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A newly surfaced video shows the executive director of San Francisco's Department of Police Accountability, Paul Henderson, cheering and participating in a Pride-themed drag performance held inside the agency's offices. The footage has sparked a lawsuit from a former employee who alleges the agency tasked with policing misconduct was unable to maintain professionalism and a proper work environment, with the drag show serving as an example of questionable judgment by leadership.

Why it matters

The controversy surrounding the drag show at the Department of Police Accountability's offices raises concerns about the agency's ability to maintain a professional, impartial workplace culture, given its role in overseeing police misconduct. The lawsuit alleges a pattern of favoritism, retaliation, and tolerance for behavior that would not be acceptable in more traditional public offices.

The details

The footage, recorded during a June 2023 office event, shows Henderson enthusiastically participating in and cheering on a Pride-themed drag performance by agency staff inside a government conference room. The lawsuit claims the event is indicative of a workplace culture where professionalism took a backseat, with the plaintiff alleging the department was plagued by favoritism, retaliation, and a tolerance for behavior that would not be acceptable in more traditional public offices.

  • The drag performance took place in June 2023 during a Pride-themed office event.
  • The lawsuit was filed in 2026, several years after the incident.

The players

Paul Henderson

The executive director of San Francisco's Department of Police Accountability, who is shown in the video participating in and cheering on the Pride-themed drag performance at the agency's offices.

Department of Police Accountability

The San Francisco agency tasked with overseeing and investigating police misconduct, which is now facing a lawsuit alleging a lack of professionalism and proper workplace culture within the organization.

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The takeaway

This controversy highlights the importance of maintaining a professional, impartial workplace culture, especially within agencies tasked with overseeing and investigating misconduct. The allegations raised in the lawsuit suggest the Department of Police Accountability may have struggled to uphold these standards, potentially undermining public trust in the agency's ability to effectively fulfill its mission.