Sue Rahr-sheriff-seattle police-Sanford
Mike Sanford, left, seen in this file photo with former King County Sheriff Sue Rahr, was under investigation for unspecified misconduct. (AP Photo/File)

No charges filed after criminal investigation of assistant Seattle Police chief

BY Tim Haeck  on May 8, 2012 @ 1:04 pm (Updated: 3:31 pm - 5/8/12 )

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The Washington State Patrol has finished a criminal investigation of a Seattle Police assistant chief.

The unspecified allegations against assistant chief Mike Sanford had been forwarded by the U.S. Attorney's office and the King County Prosecuting Attorney for investigation by the State Patrol.

State Patrol spokesman Bob Calkins would not provide details of the nature of the allegations against Sanford.

"In very general terms, most people would think of what we looked into as being an allegation of official misconduct," said Calkins.

The Seattle Times cites a source who claims that several police captains were concerned about the way Sanford solicited charitable donations from subordinates. The Times says the investigation might also include allegations that Sanford interfered in a traffic accident investigation involving his daughter.

Sanford, 51, commands the Seattle Police patrol operations bureau.

Calkins says the State Patrol took on the investigation about one month ago.

"We don't have the authority to do that on our own, we always do that at the request of some other competent authority," said Calkins.

Calkins says the State Patrol forwarded its report to the county prosecutor. The Times reports prosecutors decided not to file charges against Sanford.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (9)


  • Add A Comment

  • R L M 456 wrote...
    would not provide details of the nature of the allegations against Sanford.
    May 8, 2012 2:44 pm
    Undisclosed details--

    THATS the "NEW Transparent Police Dept" we were expecting..

    No accountability, --Phase One, of building PUBLIC RESPECT.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • couchpotatoslacker wrote...
    Where is our resident cop hater?
    May 8, 2012 2:47 pm
    AJ is slow today.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    Thank the L--d
    May 8, 2012 4:20 pm
    He did not have viewing of porn on his lap top at home. That would be another story.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    The thin blue line.
    May 8, 2012 4:37 pm
    What ever happened to Seattle's citizens investigative panel? Oh, wait, they found a cop guilty of an unwarranted shooting and were disbanded.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Informed wrote...
    Yea right
    May 8, 2012 5:04 pm
    Given the SPD's track record. Sweep Sweep goes the dirt under the carpet.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cash wrote...
    I think the rules are different.
    May 8, 2012 6:48 pm
    This is a chief so he is usually the one going after the rank and file so I am sure he does not have to answer to the OPA.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    No charges filed -
    May 8, 2012 7:30 pm
    SPD can do no wrong. Ask a woodcarver.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }