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It's time for Bellevue Police chief to go after latest black eye

BY Josh Kerns  on March 18, 2013 @ 5:47 pm (Updated: 8:13 pm - 3/18/13 )

Pillo-Cropped.jpg
Bellevue Police Chief Linda Pillo is facing new criticisms for a lawsuit brought by a female officer who claims she was forced to endure sexual comments by a training supervisor and then retaliated against for speaking out. (City of Bellevue image)
The Bellevue Police Department is in the news again for all the wrong reasons. And KIRO Radio's Ron and Don say it's time for Chief Linda Pillo to go.

"It seems like Chief Linda Pillo seems to be the problem here and I'm just wondering why the folks over in Bellevue don't get upset about this," says Don O'Neill in the wake of the latest black eye for the beleaguered department.

In the most recent development, A Bellevue police officer is suing the department saying her training supervisor created a hostile workplace by speaking openly about his sexual experiences and talking about certain body parts.

Officer Jan Auclair Trizuto also claims the officer sent her sexually suggestive text messages, which she didn't report because she feared retaliation.

Officer Trizuoto says her supervisor intimidated her after she discussed the fellow officer's inappropriate discussions about sexual exploits.

"You would think that a department with a female chief would go out of its way to set up a culture that would be accommodating and friendly to female officers," says Ron Upshaw. "I'm saying you would be hyperaware if there's this sexual harrassment going on and if you're a female chief you would pull this training officer in right away and go 'that's not how we do it in this department.'"

The department is refusing any comment, saying it doesn't discuss pending litigation. But Ron and Don say the bigger problem is the department never says anything.

Chief Pillo has been conspicuously silent or absent amidst a number of high profile embarrassments in the past year, including the demotion of two members of the command staff for extramarital affairs, and the disciplining of two officers for their drunken behavior before, during and after they were tossed out of a Seahawks game at CenturyLink Field.

"And where the hell is Sky Metawala?" asks Don in reference to the high profile disappearance of the little boy missing since November 2011, after his mother reported the toddler disappeared after she left him in an unlocked car to get gas for her vehicle. They later determined there was nothing wrong with the car.

"It's been one year and four months and you'd think the Bellevue Police Department would consistently want to pick up the phone, call the media and continue to drive tips so we can figure out where that little boy is, and we never hear from the Bellevue Police Department on this," says Don.

Ron and Don are also critical of the department's handling of the investigation into the beating of J.D. Aylward, who suffered injuries so severe part of his skull had to be removed. The department has refused to comment, but sources have said police are working on the theory he simply fell.

It's a sharp contrast to other Puget Sound area law enforcement agencies, which regularly speak to the media even when it's in response to negative stories about their department.

"How many stories do you need before you make a change?" Don asks. "I just think they need a new chief over there. And the folks over there in Bellevue, it's time they get upset about this. Chief Linda Pilla, you should resign. Just resign. You're a horrible chief. You're horrible. You're absolutely horrible. You're terrible."

Not everyone agrees. The city manager, city council, and mayor have all voiced support for the chief and the department. But Ron an Don say they've been noticeably quiet as well, and it's time for them to stand up and explain how things have gotten so bad with the department.

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 (10)


  • Add A Comment

  • Kosh wrote...
    Who Cares
    March 18, 2013 6:06 pm
    What they have to so about ANYTHING. They mean nothing to any thinking person on the planet.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • awbitf wrote...
    Wait.....
    March 18, 2013 9:18 pm
    so Ron and Don want her fired because she doesn't "regularly speak to the media even when it's in response to negative stories about their department."

    This is baseless, conjecture driven "journalism" and if I were a KIRO advertiser or owner, why wouldn't I be adding this to the list of false statements they make without retraction?

    See look, I can demand your firing too for what are some pretty legit reasons, but guess what, it's not my call.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    It's time for some "spring cleaning".
    March 18, 2013 11:51 pm
    I listen to Ron and Don everyday and most of the time don't agree with their politics this is right.The fish rots from the head.Step down.Please.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpitantso wrote...
    Chief Linda Pillo not going anywhere.
    March 19, 2013 12:26 am
    Not as long as David "Dave" Reichert who is the U.S. Representative for Washington's 8th congressional district.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpitantso wrote...
    Sky Metalwala,still missing needs closer among others...
    March 19, 2013 1:17 am
    is this also department's handling of the investigation. Drones or cameras to do job giving some too much time to play! With that kinda time, how about someone a really writing tickets and put those red light cams ect.. on pause.Cops in traffic court rare. It's time to end this entitlement. Maybe it time to find people better than some of lastest technologies.
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  • Citizen of Krazy Town wrote...
    A spokeswoman for the city attorney's office declined to comment...
    March 19, 2013 7:20 am
    http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Lawsuit-Seattle-Police-monitor-turned-on-would-be-whistleblower-196249451.html

    This was just last week in Seattle. Where were you, Ron and Don, when this man's civil rights were violated?

    How many of these cases have we seen in Seattle? Enough to get sued by the federal government and have a babysitter for the department. But where are your indignant cries to remove John Diaz?

    You are either hypocrites or mysogynists, take your pick.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    They (KIRO media) have selected indignation
    March 19, 2013 7:50 am
    Never heard them complain about the administrations "Fast and Furious", or the death of an American Law enforcement Officer or the numerous Mexican Nationals that have died at the hands of weapons turned over by our government.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ontos wrote...
    On any give day
    March 19, 2013 9:33 am
    Dori's a bigger gasbag than these two put together.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GDHubly wrote...
    I might be more riled up
    March 19, 2013 9:34 am
    if Ron/Don weren't such blowhards who often speak ignorantly... You know, we really are tired of these guys...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Who cares
    March 20, 2013 7:27 am
    What a stupid topic Ron and Don....as usual.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }