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December 16, 2011 in Region
Justice Dept.: Seattle police used excessive force
SEATTLE — Seattle police have engaged in excessive force that violated federal law and the Constitution, the U.S. Justice Department said today.
An investigation was launched last spring following the fatal shooting of a homeless, Native American woodcarver and other reported use of force used against minority suspects. The investigation was aimed at determining whether Seattle police have a “pattern or practice” of violating civil rights or discriminatory policing, and if so, what they should do to improve.
“Our findings should serve as a foundation to reform the police department and to help restore the community’s confidence in fair, just and effective law enforcement. The problems within SPD have been present for many years and will take time to fix,” said Thomas E. Perez, assistant attorney general for the civil rights division.
Federal investigators said they found inadequate systems of supervision and oversight, and that officers too quickly resorted to the use of weapons like batons and flashlights. And Seattle officers escalated situations and used unnecessary force when arresting people for minor offenses, according to the Justice Department.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and 34 other community groups called for the inquiry after a Seattle officer shot and killed the woodcarver, John T. Williams, in 2010.
Video from Officer Ian Birk’s patrol car showed Williams crossing the street holding a piece of wood and a small knife, and Birk exiting the vehicle to pursue him. Off camera, Birk quickly shouted three times for Williams to drop the knife, then fired five shots. The knife was found folded at the scene, but Birk later maintained Williams had threatened him.
Birk resigned from the force but was not charged. A review board found the shooting unjustified.
Other incidents captured on surveillance or police-cruiser video include officers using an anti-Mexican epithet and stomping on a prone Latino man who was mistakenly thought to be a robbery suspect; an officer kicking a non-resisting black youth in a convenience store; and officers tackling and kicking a black man who showed up in a police evidence room to pick up belongings after he was mistakenly released from jail.
“The solution to the problems identified within the Seattle Police Department will require strong and consistent leadership along the chain of command, effective training and policies, and vigilant oversight,” said Jenny A. Durkan, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, who joined Perez for Friday’s announcement.
© Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Three dead, three wounded in Seattle shootings 
ericdx on December 16 at 10:25 a.m.
Hmmm, sound kind of familiar. This show will be coming soon to Spokane. Starring the case of Karl “Klubber” Thompson, among others.
Charlie on December 16 at 12:13 p.m.
Chief Kirkpatrick, there may be a job opening over in Seattle that is right up your alley, you have experience.
karl2002 on December 16 at 1:12 p.m.
Only a year and a half to not only conclude the investigation of the officer, but to also finish a an investigation of the department by Justice Dept? How do they do it so fast? Here we are 5 years later and still finishing up with the officer.
herewegoagain on December 16 at 1:31 p.m.
Officer Ian Birk shot an innocent man 5 times without just cause, lied, a review board found it as an unjustified shooting and he hasn’t been charged with murder.
Why hasn’t he been charged?
detroitdude on December 16 at 1:41 p.m.
“Why hasn’t he been charged?”
Because they are cops aka superior moral beings, the rules that apply to you and I don’t apply to them.
Sadbuttrue on December 16 at 2:50 p.m.
This is all the result of “training” that cops have received since 9-11. Very quickly cops have been transformed into deceitful, violent, murderous goons who view the citizens they are supposed to protect as armed enemy combatants. It has been a horrifying, deadly, and bizarre transformation.
Now their primary concern is the protection and well-being of themselves. That is precisely the attitude that caused the recent murderous spree of officer involved shootings in Spokane. Fortunately, the citizen outrage was so intense that the insanely deadly spree of these heavily armed punks and amped-up goons was stopped cold. They were no longer allowed to carry out their murderous revenge for the coffee shop murders in Lakewood.
Whereas in Seattle, the brutish goons are still exacting savage revenge and retribution on the bewildered citizenry. This unhinged goon gets a pass after he leaped from his car and shot to death, for no reason a woodcutter “armed” with a pocket knife.
greenlibertarian on December 16 at 3:16 p.m.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014235279_policeshooting16m.html
brianrbreen on December 16 at 4:05 p.m.
@greenlibertarian
Actually the King County Prosecutor refused to file charges based on the “malice” requirement in Washington State Statues which provides more protection to police officers than the average citizen. That section of the state law has never been challenged nor has the State Prosecutors Association lobbied to have the malice element changed by the legislature. Many believe that the way the statue is written as well as the legislative intent still allows for prosecution and cases should be prosecuted to bring justice and also clarify the law.
The inquest decision did not in any way preclude the prosecutor from going ahead with charges if he so chose.
brianrbreen on December 16 at 4:11 p.m.
@greenlibertarian
Here is a link to the statue. Read the “Note” at the end, which deals with the legislative intent.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/Rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.16.040
force_vector on December 16 at 5:10 p.m.
If I were chief of police, my first two orders would be:
a.) Lose the BDU style uniforms. You want to look like special ops? Join the military and try to make the cut. You’re here to serve and protect, not intimidate and pretend to be a Seal.
b.) Unmarked police cars banned from routine patrol use. If you are there to serve and protect, why do you have to hide and blend in?
Scoutster on December 16 at 8:15 p.m.
Seattle Police: We salute you!
wdodd on December 16 at 10:00 p.m.
Now that they (Feds) wrapped up their investigation in Seattle.
Spokane should be getting some visitors soon! It’s time that the SPD/SCSO departments need to be cleaned up since those running the departments are uncapable of doing their high paying jobs. Let the feds come in and finish the clean up and hand the cheif and sheriff their last paychecks as they go out the door.
wdodd on December 16 at 10:01 p.m.
chief
Ron_the_Cop on December 17 at 4:30 a.m.
Newer thread here:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/17/feds-criticize-seattle-police-on-use-of-force/
Sadbuttrue on December 17 at 6:35 a.m.
Force Vector:
In addition to your recommendations, I would suggest the following:
a). Independent prosecutors appointed to investigate and prosecute each and every single colorable case of excessive force and officer involved shootings. Give them the incentives they need to vigorously prosecute even the most marginal cases;
b). Strip the SPD of its collective bargaining rights, and do it with dispatch;
c). Strip the police of their tasers. They have proven time and time again they are not adult enough to handle that responsibility.
d). Require that officers videotape, under penalty of severe discipline, every single second of every single shift. Cases of “malfunctioning” video equipment should be met with automatic painfully harsh disciplinary measures. Second offenders would be fired.
e). In a huge “saturday night massacre,” fire every single command officer that participated in the Otto Zehm coverup, and every cop that did not fulfill their sworn oath as police officers when they did not arrest the same. Fire every officer involved in the goose-stepping gestapo hitler salute to klubber, since they materially supported and continually support the use of lethal force against innocent civilians.
samvimes on December 17 at 11:32 a.m.
Nice to know that Spokane is not alone in having an out-of-control LE establishment and a totally gutless prosecutor. I think it’s time to take control of our county back from these thugs.
Otto_Pilot on December 17 at 11:42 p.m.
I am feeling the love!!
You-all have made my day!