Spokane Cops Support Thompson

As the excessive force trial of Officer Karl Thompson enters its second week, many Spokane police officers have made his badge number their personal Facebook profile pictures as a show of support. Thompson is a mentor to many in the department and was drafted to run for police chief before Anne Kirkpatrick was appointed in 2006. His indictment on federal charges of lying to investigators and violating Otto Zehm’s civil rights during the 2006 confrontation that led to Zehm’s death has drawn the ire of many in the department, who have joined a Facebook group that says Thompson is “a media scapegoat, wrongly accused, and wrongly charged”/ Meghann Cuniff , Sirens & Gavels. More here.

• You can follow Meghann’s live Twitter of the Thompson trial today here.

Question: Should Spokane police be taking sides in this case?