MYNORTHWEST NEWS

SPD chief demotes commander for role in pink umbrella tear gas incident

May 26, 2021, 12:05 PM

officers, umbrella incident...

Demonstrators face off with law enforcement personnel near SPD's East Precinct in June of 2020. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)

(Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)

Interim Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz issued a letter on Wednesday, detailing his decision to demote an SPD incident commander for his role in a controversial June 2020 protest on Capitol Hill.

SPD chief reverses OPA finding in pink umbrella tear gas incident

The protest became known in the months to follow as the “umbrella incident” colloquially, named for an officer who grabbed a pink umbrella from a protester standing behind a barrier between officers and the crowd, which sparked a commotion that led to blast balls and tear gas being deployed at the intersection of 11th and Pine.

In a subsequent review of the incident by the city’s Office of Police Accountability (OPA), it was determined that the officer who grabbed the umbrella had violated SPD’s crowd management policy, and that as a result, should be subject to discipline.

Chief Diaz then overruled the OPA’s finding, pointing out that command staff decisions at a higher level were ultimately what fueled the officer’s on-the-ground decision making, and that he could not in good conscience agree with the misconduct finding for an officer when their superiors were the cause of their action. Not long after that, Diaz intimated that he still intended to discipline the incident commander, despite overturning the OPA’s findings related to the officer.

Ross: Could there be an alternative to endless protests?

Diaz provided further details on that disciplinary action Wednesday, demoting the commander from assistant chief to captain.

“Fundamentally, I must have confidence that each and every member of this department’s sworn Command Staff, regardless of bureau assignment, be able to step into an incident command position as circumstances may require,” he said in a letter addressed to Mayor Jenny Durkan and city councilmembers. “This demotion is a reflection of my lack of confidence in this individual’s ability to do so.”

Diaz’s decision to not discipline the officer had previously drawn backlash from the Community Police Commission, which labeled the move as “justice denied to peaceful protesters.”

MyNorthwest News

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

5 minutes ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

3 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

‘Kia Boys’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

4 hours ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

5 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

6 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

7 hours ago

SPD chief demotes commander for role in pink umbrella tear gas incident