King County detective terminated after investigation into 2019 shooting

King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht has terminated the employment of Detective George Alvarez for “policy violations and extremely poor tactical and officer safety decisions” leading up to the fatal shooting of Anthony Chilcott in November 2019.

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According to a release from the King County Sheriff’s Office, the termination decision is not based on the use of force or shooting of Chilcott, but rather is based on decisions leading up to the use of force.

The sheriff found by “clear and convincing evidence that the tactics used here were substantially below what is required in our de-escalation policy, expectations based on your years of training, experience level and organizational knowledge from lessons learned from prior events.”

According to the sheriff’s office, Alvarez initiated contact with Chilcott without waiting for backup, while driving an unmarked vehicle, without lights and siren, and without wearing a ballistic vest marked “sheriff” or any clothing identifying himself as law enforcement. Alvarez and another detective had stopped Chilcott on suspicion of driving a stolen truck.

Detective Alvarez’ termination is effective April 2, 2021.

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