NAACP seeks talk with police

A local civil rights organization has requested a meeting with Spokane’s police chief to discuss departmental use-of-deadly-force policies and procedures as they relate to minority groups.

The concern, according to a letter addressed to Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick and the editor of The Spokesman-Review, stemmed from three officer-involved shootings from February to May this year. Two of those involved minorities.

“This raises the question of following standard police policies and procedures for all of Spokane vicinity, or, that there is a different set of policies and procedures for people of color,” stated the letter from the Spokane branch of the NAACP, which was signed by its president, V. Anne Smith and Spokane Ministries Elder Ezra Kinlow.

The letter also says: “(I)t is the consensus of a coalition of African-American churches, organizations, and community groups to request an urgent meeting.”

Kirkpatrick received the letter Wednesday and called immediately to set up a meeting, she said. However, Smith wasn’t available to meet until early August.

Smith declined further comment on the letter or the group’s concerns. “Our statement will stand until we talk with the chief,” she said.

Since the beginning of the year, Spokane Police have been involved in the following incidents:

“May 1: A Spokane police officer shot Ryan L. Patterson in the face during a struggle in north Spokane during which Patterson fired his gun at the officer. The investigation is awaiting a decision at the Spokane County prosecutor’s office.

“March 24: Spokane police Sgt. Daniel Torok shot and killed 33-year-old Jerome Alford, an African-American, during a confrontation near downtown Spokane. The investigation is awaiting a decision at the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office.

“Feb. 26: James “Jay” Olsen shot Shonto K. Pete, wounding him once in the head. Olsen has been charged with first-degree assault and two counts of reckless endangerment. Pete, a Navajo, is charged with felony auto theft. Olsen is on unpaid leave while the fate of his job is determined.