More SPD officers under investigation for possible role in US Capitol attack
Jan 20, 2021, 2:34 PM | Updated: 2:37 pm
A barrier stands outside of the Seattle Police Department's West Precinct on June 10, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)
The Seattle Office of Police Accountability (OPA) informed the Community Police Commission that two additional Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers were discovered to have been at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and are being investigated for their actions.
That number was later updated to three officers, bringing the total under investigation for possible involvement in the attack of the U.S. Capitol to five SPD officers.
@SeattlePD just announced another officer is under investigation for possible involvement in the January 6th attack on the capital. That brings the total to five officers under investigation.
— Seattle CPC (@SeaCPC) January 20, 2021
Chief Adrian Diaz wrote in the Seattle Police Department Blotter that the OPA opened an investigation into three additional SPD officers who were in Washington, D.C., on the day of the attack on the Capitol. These officers self-reported to their supervisors, Diaz clarified, and remain on duty at this time.
“As I stated before, if OPA finds any evidence any officers were directly involved in the insurgence, they will be fired and the information will be shared with federal officials,” Diaz wrote. “I made it very clear when I assumed this position, that any violation of community trust or any action that threatens our ability to serve this city will be met with full accountability.”
It was previously known that two Seattle police officers were placed on administrative leave after the department was made aware that they were reportedly in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021.
It has not yet been determined if the first two known officers entered the U.S. Capitol building with the mob or if they broke any federal laws. Diaz had said the OPA will investigate if those officers violated any SPD policies and “if any potential illegal activities need be referred for criminal investigation.”
Chief Diaz added previously that if any SPD officers were directly involved in the insurrection, he will immediately terminate them.
“The Department fully supports all lawful expressions of First Amendment freedom of speech, but the violent mob and events that unfolded at the U.S. Capitol were unlawful and resulted in the death of another police officer,” Diaz said.
This investigation is ongoing.
