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 (22)


  • Add A Comment

  • BikeNazi wrote...
    Are we turning our blue lights on now?
    December 4, 2012 2:55 pm
    Seems like every time something happens involving the police, we "Have a blue light on in our hearts EXCEPT for these pigs. These cops suck. Other cops are cool."
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Amorget wrote...
    Apparently Mr. Robertson
    December 4, 2012 3:04 pm
    Hasn't had a chance to update his signature yet, signing it as Corporal instead of Officer. Shows how serious he really is taking this...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • japery wrote...
    drunks on the bomb squad
    December 4, 2012 3:26 pm
    From now on, every time I see a Bellevue cop, I'm gonna wonder if it's the idiot drunk.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    wow!
    December 4, 2012 3:26 pm
    so bellevue cops can flash their badge while highly intoxicated and threaten citizens to stay out of bellevue and still remain on the force? the blue light for bellevue police just got turned off as far as i'm concerned. and doesn't this open the door to evading police in bellevue becoming legally defensable since they clearly have no concern for our constitutional rights?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zoeller wrote...
    "did not rise to the level of termination"
    December 4, 2012 4:16 pm
    Wow!!! The BPD has some really really low standards where did they find these losers? The Walmart parking lot?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • JMinIssaquah wrote...
    Should have been fired
    December 4, 2012 5:23 pm
    Police officers are supposed to be held to a higher standard. I guess not at the Bellevue Police Dept. If something like this had happened at most companies in the private sector, they would have been immediately dismissed. What a sad job the Bellevue Police Chief has done at upholding the honor of police officers, as well as the title of Police Chief.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    Not to be alarmed, this is the norm
    December 4, 2012 5:39 pm
    As long as their pay check is from a taxed agency, their is no accountability. When will the tax paying people get this through their heads. They are above the law. They EARN (if they know the meaning of that word) every bit of respect they get. (no they dont know the word EARN)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    Whats even a lot more funny
    December 4, 2012 5:54 pm
    Is the apologies. They are laughing as much as us, the people that pay for the nonsense all the way around. Funny Funny
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    A disgrace
    December 4, 2012 6:06 pm
    These Barney Fife lowlife DRUNKEN idiots are supposed to be held to a higher standard. No wonder there is such a low level of respect and overall trust of law enforcement in King County. It only takes a few little men with big egos and badges to totally destroy the public trust. These asssholes should have all been fired. Period.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    This is the very reason cops should not have guns.
    December 4, 2012 6:00 pm
    They are to dangerous. Give them wooden guns we would all be alot safer including are pets.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    OK, wooden gguns, but..........
    December 5, 2012 5:07 am
    until they are issued, PLEASE don't let them see the wood being carved.

    Sock jokes aside, 95%+ of all cops do the jobs we expect of them - and then some. .......... Its a sad fact of human nature that 5 to 10% of us in any job or situation has something wacko wrong with them.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SnakeBite wrote...
    Kops
    December 4, 2012 6:49 pm
    As always it's the labor unions or police guild that manages to keep these type of cops around. What I don't understand is why support out-of-control people like this? Their behavior is pathetic and reprehensible. Don't you WANT TO VET out the bad actors? Apparently not. You cops aren't doing a heck of a lot to re-establish your credibility and standing in the community with antics like this. I appreciate all the 'brotherhood' culture mindset and all that, but you people need to set some standards. Good golly.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }