We demand AG investigation into police with compromised credibility
April 8, 2021
SEATTLE—The Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance today called on state Attorney General Bob Ferguson to investigate the ongoing problem of police still employed throughout the state despite being identified with credibility issues over deception, bias or excessive use of force.
The demand followed a new report from Crosscut on nearly 200 officers who remain on the job after being identified by county prosecutors as having credibility problems because of such misconduct.
“Policing is broken. Not just in Seattle. Not just in Tacoma. Everywhere in the state and the country,” the Alliance wrote in letter to Ferguson. “There is an urgent need to bring accountability, independence, and an anti-racist lens into the process of excessive force, bias, and deception issues inside law enforcement agencies.”
The full text of the letter follows:
Attorney General Bob Ferguson
1125 Washington St. SE/PO Box 40100
Olympia, WA 98504-0100
April 8, 2021
Mr. Attorney General:
The Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance calls on the Office of the Attorney General to initiate an independent investigation into law enforcement officers identified on “Brady Lists” throughout the state for incidents of questionable or excessive force, bias, or dishonesty—behaviors which often accompany a violation of one’s civil rights and the laws that govern the state of Washington.
Today, Crosscut published a report on 183 officers on county prosecutors’ Brady Lists of officers with compromised credibility who remain employed in police departments throughout Washington:
“About half the officers Crosscut identified as still working in law enforcement were flagged by prosecutors because they appear to have lied or were somehow deceptive. Others were placed on the Brady list because of incidents of bias, such as posting racist remarks on social media or making discriminatory comments toward suspects. A few … are there because of their excessive or questionable use of force.”
Washington state has a shameful and ongoing history of excessive force complaints. Police departments and prosecutors have not demonstrated an ability to investigate and hold cops accountable.
Policing is broken. Not just in Seattle. Not just in Tacoma. Everywhere in the state and the country. There is an urgent need to bring accountability, independence, and an anti-racist lens into the process of excessive force, bias, and deception issues inside law enforcement agencies. While we are encouraged by the work of the legislature to pass SB1267 into law, these issues require urgent attention and action.
The Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance urgently requests a meeting to discuss these concerns with your office directly.
For Black lives,
Sakara Remmu
Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance
Cc:
Governor
Dr. Karen Johnson
Senate/House D Leadership and LAs
House D Public Safety Chair and Vice Chair and LAs
Senate D Law and Justice Chair and Vice Chair and LAs
Senator Patty Murray
Senator Maria Cantwell
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal
Congressman Adam Smith