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Shandy Cobane
SPD officer Shandy Cobane apologizes for a racially charged incident that resulted in his suspension and demotion in 2011. (MyNorthwest image)

Don: SPD officer demoted in racial stomping incident has more than paid his punishment

BY Josh Kerns  on February 5, 2013 @ 6:09 pm (Updated: 6:16 pm - 2/5/13 )

It's been nearly two years since Seattle police detective Shandy Cobane was caught on camera and suspended for stomping on a Latino suspect's leg and shouting he was going to "beat the (expletive) Mexican piss" out of him in April 2010. And KIRO Radio's Don O'Neill is criticizing a new report that says Cobane has been given a "plum assignment" in the SPD robbery unit.

KING 5 reports Cobane has been assigned to what is considered "one of the most prestigious units" in the department despite a promise by Chief John Diaz Cobane would be transferred to street patrol as punishment.

But despite the implication that Cobane is receiving special treatment, Don argues it's the exact opposite. While Cobane wasn't assigned to patrol, he was instead assigned to an administrative job for the last two years.

"I talked to Shandy about where he wanted to be sent. He wanted to be on patrol," Don says. "Chief Diaz sent him to a desk. And when you're a cop, you don't want to be sitting at a desk."

Cobane tearfully apologized after the incident, was demoted and given a 30-day suspension without pay in May 2011.

Don points out Cobane was a highly respected member of the gang unit who paid a hefty price for the incident, which he argues was sensationalized to begin with.

"His job was to talk to gang members. And it's not an easy thing to do," Don says. "He's a humble guy, he's a good guy, you talk to other cops about him and they say if there's any guy that you would want to have out on the street that knows how to handle himself with gang members and also knows how to handle himself in a tough situation it's Shandy Cobane."

Don says even gang members have told him Cobane was fair and smart, and more than one said they actually liked him.

Don says after two years, Cobane has more than paid his dues and his expertise is sorely needed in the fight against crime, especially with gangs tied to many of the major robberies taking place in the city.

"The modern day gang is the modern day mafia," Don says. "If you have a guy out there who has spent over a decade of his life and he understands all the gangs, and he understands where they hang out, and he understands their tags, and he understands where they live[...] it would make sense if you're Chief Diaz to go hey, it's been a couple of years."

Don urges KING 5 to speak with Cobane rather than a disgruntled, anonymous officer who was reportedly the initial source of the story complaining about the recent assignment.

"What kind of message does that send? That's a sought-after job. Lots of officers would like to be there. Why is that behavior being rewarded?" the officer told KING 5.

SPD Public Information Officer Mark Jamieson disagreed that Cobane is being rewarded. "He's been through the wringer," said Jamieson. Jamieson also said the chief did not promise to demote Cobane to patrol but instead "left the future open."

While Cobane works robbery part time, Jamieson told KING 5 he is also continuing to work extensively in community outreach with the Latino community, along with mentoring young men in Seattle's Central District.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (8)


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  • CascadeSasquatch wrote...
    He should have been fired....
    February 5, 2013 6:24 pm
    ...end of story. If I said that at my work I'd be gone. So would most jobs. Don needs to hold his blue light high, the same as the standard we need to hold these men and women to. We give them power over us, and they ought not abuse it.
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  • O-town listener wrote...
    actually cascade..
    February 5, 2013 7:30 pm
    99% of places I've been in would have a meeting with HR after a verbal inappropriate comment. He didn't actually attack anyone if I remember the clip right just made an inappropriate statement. Most places would sit the person down, have a conversation, give a warning, maybe probation, and monitor the situation. To say someone should get fired over one statement seems an insane overreaction.
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  • CascadeSasquatch wrote...
    Well O-town and yourdaddy
    February 6, 2013 10:09 am
    He actually did attack the guy...While he was down in the prone position. Look, these guys have a lot of authority over all of us. That kind of power needs a lot of trust backing it up. How many other times has this happened where it didn't get caught on tape? Don't try to tell me this was the first time... If I saw someone getting attacked (or if I was getting attacked personally) by a regular person, I'd step in and defend them. Try and do that when you see a cop being inappropriate and see if you don't get beaten or shot. That's my point. You have very little ability to defend yourself when its a cop. We all need to wake up and hold people accountable. LE needs our support, and with people like this guy around, it's hard to give it.
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  • yourdaddy wrote...
    End of story?
    February 5, 2013 8:55 pm
    Most people do not have jobs that deal with violent criminals every day. Of course you cannot say that to a co worker or customer in a normal job! You know the difference.
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  • hpitantso wrote...
    Doir backs slacker Po Po?
    February 6, 2013 12:02 am
    Waste of our good money guy backs a rouge cop who cost the public $$$ now more $$$ my still being on payroll. This born again thug should be a convicted felon looking for a job, that would be Sensitivity Training extensively in community outreach for real.
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  • hpitantso wrote...
    Dori exposes Slacker Po Po
    February 6, 2013 12:04 am
    Chief John Diaz
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  • hpitantso wrote...
    Don
    February 6, 2013 12:07 am
    my bad
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    Put it this way
    February 6, 2013 8:09 am
    If when this officer was applying to be a Seattle police officer this video was available to those who interviewed him do you believe he would have had a chance in HELL of being hired?Of course NOT! THen why is this waste of skin still on the force?
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