Chief’s Actions Frisky Business The Wrong Thing Police Chief Shows Poor Judgment, Dangerous Behavior

What advice would Spokane Police Chief Terry Mangan give to a citizen worried about a suspicious vehicle idling outside his home?

(A) Detain the occupants at gunpoint.

(B) Frisk them.

(C) Swear at them.

(D) Call Crime Check.

(E) All of the above except “D.”

By his example last week, Mangan told the people of Spokane to take the law into their own hands. He told his officers it’s OK to charge into an unknown confrontation, carrying a loaded gun, without backup. In effect, he said, “Civil rights be damned; I’m above the law.”

Only Mangan knows what was going on in his mind the night he confronted three men sitting harmlessly in a Blazer on a public road. He said he was worried about his wife; he said there have been threats against his life. Those things made his concern legitimate, but nothing excuses what he did next.

There’s some dispute, but both sides agree that Mangan ordered the men out of the truck and patted them down. The men say Mangan threatened them and cursed them - much like his behavior in an ill-advised traffic stop in 1994. One man says Mangan pointed the loaded gun at his head and threatened to kill him.

Regardless of the details, questions arise concerning Mangan’s judgment. Could he have called his wife to warn her to be careful? Could he have waited in the house and watched as his wife drove in, ensuring her welfare from the safety of his home?

Of course, there’s always the obvious. Mangan could have called the Sheriff’s Department. Surely it would have responded to a call from the chief. At the very least, Mangan should have called for a check on the Blazer’s license plate before heading out like Rambo to investigate.

Any other officer would have. That’s what they’re trained to do.

Mangan is valuable to this community. He should be more careful with his life. Had the truck been filled with bad guys rather than harmless “bunny hunters,” Mangan would have been an easy target. He might as well have painted a bull’s eye on his puffed-up chest.

What Mangan did was wrong. It showed bad decision-making and bad police work and provided a bad example to all. Spokane should be able to expect more from its police chief.

, DataTimes MEMO: For opposing view, see headline: A chorus of ‘Hail to the Chief’

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN, EDITORIAL - From both sides CREDIT = Anne Windishar/For the editorial board