Oh, the nerve!

For the Spokane Police Guild, the investigator’s ruling that Kate Burke did not bully an officer with online criticism must have stung (June 29) – especially for all the reasons outlined in the report determination. That SPD Guild representative Det. David Dunkin failed to perform due diligence in his investigation by first interviewing the alleged bullied SPD officer is even more telling.

The propensity to jump to conclusions (not unlike Officer Keller, the subject of Burke’s online criticism) seems quite likely based on explicit or implicit bias. As Burke points out, while an officer for the Seattle Police Department, Officer Keller instigated a traffic stop based on “shady” pretenses which led to the tragic, needless death of the driver and traumatization of the passenger. Both victims were people of color driving through a mostly White neighborhood. It seems as though some just can’t abide the nerve of other folks.

The temerity of a young female public servant, Kate Burke, to voice concerns as an ally of BIPOC (black, indigenous, and other people of color) and aware citizens apparently really pushed buttons. Raising concern about an officer already involved in an avoidable death is the real offense as perceived by the Guild. Oh, the nerve of some people to use their voice by speaking out!

Perhaps SPD’s Guild will find the nerve to apologize to Burke and admit that they, not she, were “out of line.”

Marilyn Darilek

Spokane