The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
54°F
Current Conditions
Overcast clouds
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Otto Zehm

Otto Zehm, a Spokane man with schizophrenia who worked as a janitor, died after a confrontation with police at a North Side Zip Trip store in March 2006.

‹ Newer Older ›

Search

News >  Spokane

Input sought on use of force report

Several community members on Wednesday thanked the city of Spokane’s Use of Force Commission for months of work, and police Chief Frank Straub said he and Mayor David Condon will soon announce plans to implement suggested changes in the police department. The commission held the first of two public hearings to comment on 26 recommendations it made Dec. 20. The report is part of Condon’s stated goal of restoring community trust in the department following the conviction of former Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr. for using excessive force and lying to investigators about his 2006 confrontation with Otto Zehm.
News >  Spokane

Thompson restitution challenged

Former Spokane police Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr.’s attorneys argued Friday that Thompson shouldn’t have to pay restitution stemming from his criminal conviction for using excessive force against Otto Zehm. Federal prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Fred Van Sickle last month to order Thompson to pay $824,163 in restitution for lost wages, medical bills and attorney’s fees.
News >  Spokane

Thompson argues against Zehm restitution

Former Spokane Police Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr.'s attorneys argued today that a judge should not force Thompson to pay any restitution stemming from his criminal conviction for using excessive force against Otto Zehm.
News >  Spokane

Police face reorganization

The Spokane Police Department, hoping to restore public confidence, will embark on a major reorganization next month designed to make existing resources more efficient at achieving the ultimate goal of reducing crime. The reorganization is contained within the department’s new strategic plan unveiled Friday by police Chief Frank Straub, and it comes just a day after an independent panel examining the use of force by Spokane police officers recommended 26 major changes in the department’s training and internal investigations.
News >  Spokane

Organizational shakeup coming for Spokane police

The Spokane Police Department, hoping to restore public confidence and rebuild its tarnished image, will embark on a major reorganization next month that's intended to give the agency greater crime-fighting coordination and transparency.
News >  Spokane

Use of force panel offers 26 recommendations to improve police department

A yearlong review of the Spokane Police Department found a professional organization committed to public service but lacking in identity and needing improvements in how it investigates its own officers. The draft report by the independent city Use of Force Commission was released Thursday with 26 recommendations for how the department needs to improve, with the ultimate goal of restoring public trust following the scandal surrounding its handling of the Otto Zehm investigation.
News >  Spokane

Commission seeks list of changes for SPD

The long-awaited draft report by the independent City of Spokane Use of Force Commission was released today and it calls the Spokane Police Department to change how it polices itself and calls for more training to ensure that officers diffuse problems before they escalate into deadly-force confrontations.
‹ Newer Older ›

Search

Documents