Editor Smith: Spokane Cops Trying to Single Us Out

Full post by Ken Paulman/Daily Briefing here

Shortly before midnight last night, the Spokane Police Department set a remarkable new precedent for openness and transparency by quickly releasing the name and place of employment of a man arrested on a misdemeanor prostitution charge. The release was sent out so promptly that other information about the extent of the operation, described only as a “prostitute/drug special,” or if any others were arrested, was not included. The release did note, however, that the man arrested was a Spokesman-Review security guard, who promptly resigned this morning. The news was broadcast on two local TV stations, and The Spokesman-Review is taking the unusual step of posting a breaking news story online today , whereas a misdemeanor prostitution arrest typically wouldn’t make the paper at all. Steve Smith said there is no excuse for the security guard’s actions, but questioned why the police department chose to take the unusual step of publicizing this particular arrest. “In my view, this was a clear and deliberate effort to mark the company and to single out one of our security guards,” he said. “Personally, I think it’s pretty damn outrageous.”

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