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The Seattle Police Department has placed a veteran officer on paid administrative leave as they investigate an accusation of excessive force. (MyNorthwest.com Photo/File)

SPD officers accuse veteran cop of excessive force

BY Brandi Kruse  on August 3, 2012 @ 4:22 pm (Updated: 9:54 am - 8/4/12 )

The Seattle Police Department has placed a veteran officer on paid administrative leave as they investigate an accusation of excessive force.

The alleged incident occurred on Thursday evening when officers responded to the report of a drive-by pellet gun shooting in the 3700 block of South Othello Street.

According to other officers at the scene, who reported the incident to their immediate superior, the officer in question got into an altercation with a bystander at the scene.

"The officers who were on the scene saw something that they disagreed with," said Sergeant Sean Whitcomb. "(They) didn't like the use of force, didn't like the unprofessionalism, had zero tolerance for it and immediately reported it to their supervisor."

The officer under investigation is a 19-year veteran of the force, Sgt. Whitcomb said.

After command staff were notified of the incident, the officer was relieved of duty and sent home. He remains on paid administrative leave pending the investigation.

The department has asked that anyone with information regarding the incident contact the Office of Professional Accountability Investigator Yvonne Tovar directly, at 206-684-8792.

Brandi Kruse, KIRO Radio Reporter
Brandi Kruse is a reporter for KIRO Radio who is as spontaneous and adventurous in her free time as she is on the job. Brandi arrived at KIRO Radio in March 2011 and has already collected three regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her reporting.
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Comments (18)


  • Add A Comment

  • darthclown wrote...
    The police policing their own.
    August 3, 2012 5:02 pm
    My faith in SPD is returning.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Liberalism is Social AIDS
    August 3, 2012 5:38 pm
    It has attacked our police time and again to where every little incident is scrutinized and the department cannot police the way that police should police. It was a pellet gun shooting investigation and that black thug was not obeying police orders, so the BLACK cop pushed him. Attack the police so they can no longer protect us, and the disease will take over...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    Ohhh this is so good news
    August 3, 2012 5:41 pm
    The best way to clean house and make it accountable is from the inside out, and being PROactive NOT reactive. Kudos to the L/E that are keeping an eye on themselves. We all can and do make bad choices sometimes. Thank you
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    Hmm
    August 3, 2012 6:49 pm
    Now that's what I am talking about, when the police guild cleans all of these thugs and criminals with badges off of the street, the community will welcome them back with open arms and actually make there jobs a lot more easier and more enjoyable. Good job getting that freaking PUNK off the street.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tlmbrt wrote...
    You
    August 3, 2012 9:02 pm
    are ignorant beyond description!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tlmbrt wrote...
    What did you expect?
    August 3, 2012 9:16 pm
    The cops are now so afraid of being accused of racism and profiling by our socialist nanny state government that they are now selling out their own to protect themselves. I remember learning about German citizens during the 1930s and 40s turning in their neighbors to the Nazis because of FEAR. To keep attention off themselves and curry favor. This is very similar. Congratulations, libs. You have successfully nullified the police in Seattle.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • C"mon Man wrote...
    Blue wall of silence
    August 3, 2012 11:19 pm
    Just think of all the incidents that we do not know about.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Brandi Kruse little more work on the story . . . .
    August 4, 2012 4:18 am
    http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Veteran-Seattle-cop-accused-of-use-of-excessive-force--164946976.html?tab=video&c=y#shine 3
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    Publicity stunt
    August 4, 2012 10:49 am
    Its going to take alot more than throwing a couple officers under the bus.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    Look its going to rough for police so lets support them.
    August 4, 2012 3:19 pm
    When they do things correctly. They are dealing with the TSA and its UnConstitutional laws that they follow. The U.N wants to work with the police another unconstitutional Idea and agianst the law. The Police are under stress caused by those Politicians or Judges or other officers that do not follow the United States Constitution and its Laws. Groups need to gather now and organize to vote in good people that uphold the Laws of the Constitution and support are Police that support the bill of rights.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }