CenturyLink Field

Bellevue cops disciplined for bad behavior at Seattle Seahawks home opener

BY MyNorthwest.com  on December 4, 2012 @ 2:56 pm (Updated: 9:21 am - 12/5/12 )

Two of "Bellevue's finest" are being punished for bad behavior outside and inside the Seahawks home opener game in September at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

One of the officers was also found in violation of department policies when he drove home from the game under the influence of alcohol.

In September a few off-duty, apparently drunk, Bellevue cops hassled a Seattle police officer before the Seahawks home opener game. Their questionable behavior didn't end outside the stadium according to some witnesses. People inside the game said the same officers were kicked out for poor behavior and because they were in violation of the NFL's "fan experience."

Police Chief Linda Pillo said that the actions of the officers, "although embarrassing and disheartening, did not rise to the level of termination."

According to the Bellevue Police, 22-year veteran Corporal Dion Robertson was demoted to officer and lost his supervisory responsibilities on the Bomb Squad. Seven-year veteran Officer Andy Hanke was given a 30-day suspension from duty without pay and was removed from the Bomb Squad. The police department said both punishments resulted in a significant loss to annual pay.

A third woman, a Bellevue Police detective was exonerated and cleared of all allegations.

A fourth woman involved in the incidents did not work for the police department but is a City of Bellevue Utilities employee.

When the utilities employee threw her empty beer cup on the ground before a game that Sunday, she was confronted by a Seattle officer. When the cop asked the woman to pick it up, she did, but Robertson and Hanke began confronting the police officer using profane language.

The officers flashed their badges and taunted the Seattle cop. The Seattle police officer called her supervisor, but the Bellevue cop's behavior continued.

Inside the stadium, fans who were sitting near the three Bellevue officers and utilities employee said they arrived late in the first quarter and immediately let loose with F-bombs and other foul language, appearing to be quite drunk.

Read: Bellevue cops bad behavior not just outside Seahawks game

After complaints, the group was eventually escorted out of the game,and as they left the utilities employee made remarks to one of the complaining fans about "Bellevue's finest."

The BPD's internal investigation also found that Hanke drove home while intoxicated. Hanke's level of intoxication, however, was unclear, and there was no forensic evidence to indicate he was above the legal limit, meaning he won't be prosecuted for drunk driving. However, Hanke's actions behind the wheel violated the "Obedience of Laws Policy."

On Tuesday, the two disciplined officers released apology statements:

To the Seattle Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, citizens of Seattle, Bellevue and to Law Enforcement professionals, I want to express my humble apologies to all involved for my inexcusable behavior on Sept. 16. I was completely out of line and not behaving in a manner anyone should.

While I cannot change the past, I can let you know I have taken complete responsibility and taken the positive life changes to make sure it never happens again. I am very sorry to have put all of you through this incident.

Most sincerely,
Corporal Dion Robertson
Bellevue Police Department

_

I want to sincerely apologize to the citizens and police department of the City of Seattle, the citizens and fellow officers of Bellevue, and to the staff and fans at CenturyLink Field for my actions on Sept. 16, 2012.

My behavior was inappropriate, disrespectful, and lacked the professionalism you expect from me in my position. I deeply regret the negative impact this has had on my fellow law enforcement officers and the citizens we serve.

Please accept my apologies and know I vow to always uphold the values of the Bellevue Police Department both on and off duty.

Officer A. Hanke

MyNorthwest.com, Staff report
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Comments (23)


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  • 333 wrote...
    Dori Fan
    December 4, 2012 7:00 pm
    ...I have nothing to say about these idiots.....but. Can you READ? It was the utilities employee that threatened "not to come to Bellevue". and in my opinion is the one detail that saved their, you know what.
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  • dori monson fan wrote...
    333
    December 4, 2012 8:44 pm
    yea, according to BPD it was not one of their own. of course it was a "utilities worker" who up to now was not one of the four involved.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Fins2theleft wrote...
    Is it any wonder so many folks don't like cops?
    December 4, 2012 11:26 pm
    Cops take care of their own and there's almost nothing you can do as a cop to get fired. Sad.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Op TK wrote...
    They flashed their badges
    December 4, 2012 11:32 pm
    This is the most telling part of the article. That move says only one thing. I'm a police officer and I am above the law. Disgusting.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • AKAF wrote...
    So many things wrong especially with Don...
    December 5, 2012 12:35 am
    The police department did an internal review, that included their internal affairs unit and not a outside police department demanded by Don. This is standard procedure...regardless how Don makes himself as an expert in these matters. The officers in question were discipline; harshly, regardless of Don's rant. If Don want's to continue to question the report about a female officer being involved then Don needs to provide sources...until then it's just a rant. These officers acted in a unprofessional manner and needed to be held accountable, and were, but media outlets like KIRO and Ron n Don show need the same standards. If you are going to throw out accusations, one being another female officer being involved and demanding action against, then sources need to be provided. Until then it's just a rant. Heck, even Don after reading the BPD statement couldn't remember if the members were removed from the local bomb squad or not. That reading of the statement from Bellevue PD was only minutes old and Don, the media, went on a rant about them possibly staying on the bomb squad. Note to Ron and Don...if you are going to rant then at least remember what you reported just minutes ago. Better yet...try doing some research into the matter before discussing it on air. I'm sure you thousands of listeners would appreciated it.
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  • Gunther wrote...
    Chief Pillo
    December 5, 2012 1:33 am
    Chief, I cannot express how disappointed I am in you decision to keep these employees. Your Officers must have the publics trust and confidence to do their job. I can guarantee you this is not the first time this has happened with these officers, it's only the first time they were caught. You don't get that bold and obnoxious overnight. You will have to deal with these officers again, spend more tax dollars, possibly pay out tax money for another incident. I'm sure you have paid to go to a Gordon Grahm seminar (most LE has). This is exactly what he lectures about. You took the easy way out on this one, unfortunately you or another Chief will have to deal with them again when their predictable behavior acts up again. You had an opportunity to show the LE community and Bellevue that this is not tolerated in Bellevue.
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  • NWGUY wrote...
    she was innitially a temp chief
    December 5, 2012 8:31 am
    So she may not have even bothered to go see Grahm, What is troubling, is that a 22 year veteran, did this????? makes one wonder what crap he's been inflicting on the innocent people of Bellevue for 20 years
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  • ten4goodbuddy wrote...
    exactly
    December 5, 2012 9:35 am
    That's what I took away from this incident. He was a 20+ veteran who doesn't know how to act by now??
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Funny how if you don't blow in a breathalyzer or give a blood sample you are "off the hook" no evidence.Just like Timothy Ryan.
    December 5, 2012 3:02 am
    http://mynorthwest.com/11/2016981/VIDEO-Snohomish-County-judge-avoids-DUI-charge
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Should have been fired? . . . .
    December 5, 2012 5:54 am
    did you not get the Memo: LE is above the law. Ask the kop that had his kid killed with HIS OWN GUN. Unlocked and loaded. No wonder another kop shot his assoff. Bet he is on paid leave.
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  • NWGUY wrote...
    light punishment
    December 5, 2012 8:33 am
    I also think the punishment was too light, when you think about it, they are representatives of the law, they get a little booze in them, and they ignore the law, and act as if it doesn't apply to them. So really, this is just an insight into how they really feel, they are thugs, and should be retrained or eliminated from the force.
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