Investigation of mock chase not yet completed

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has not yet completed the investigation into the deputies involved in the Oct. 3 mock pursuit that resulted in damages to a Spokane police patrol car.

Sheriff Mark Sterk has not named the three deputies, who remain on paid administrative leave.

Sterk said Wednesday that he is waiting for the traffic sergeant to complete the investigation to determine if any laws were broken during the mock chase. The case will be sent to prosecutors for possible charges, he said.

“My recommendation to the prosecutor will be to treat them like any other citizen,” Sterk said.

The incident began after a routine traffic stop. Afterward, a deputy in a marked patrol car turned on his lights and chased two other deputies in an unmarked Ford Mustang. All three deputies were heading back to the Public Safety Building to end their shifts.

However, a Spokane police officer saw the mock pursuit, thought it was legitimate and joined the chase.

More police officers heard the chase on their radio and used spike strips to stop the Mustang. The officers then drew their guns on the deputies in the Mustang to get them out of the car.

During that process, a police officer left his patrol car in gear. It rolled through a fence and hit a pole, causing about $2,200 in damage.

Sterk said both an internal investigation and a criminal investigation are being conducted.

Sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said e-mails received at the department have been split between residents, who want the deputies fired and those who think they should keep their jobs.