Police Guild president: Council member’s May Day comment was ‘political pandering’
May 7, 2015, 5:34 PM | Updated: 6:06 pm
A source within the department told O’Neill that all 1,300 Seattle Police Department officers have to go through May Day riot training. (AP)
(AP)
Negative comments made by a Seattle City Council member in regards to how police handled the May Day riot boils down to trying to sway votes, according to the president of the Seattle Police Officers’ Guild.
“This fall, council members have to run for their seats for district election,” Guild President Ron Smith said. “This is a play right out of political pandering.”
Council member Bruce Harrell said that after watching the video of the first arrest during the anti-capitalist march on Capitol Hill, it looked as though the officers’ tactics started it all.
Incident Commander and Seattle Police Captain Chris Fowler responded that officers were following their response plan during that arrest.
Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole said she was shocked when a Seattle City Council member said the police’s May Day response was “idiotic,” and that his statement contradicts the community’s response to police actions.
“But wouldn’t you agree a person on a bicycle trying to arrest someone while on the bike, from behind it, just seems a little idiotic,” Harrell said. “I don’t know how else to describe it. It just doesn’t make sense to me.”
Harrell should consider taking his comments back, Smith said. The public is showing overwhelming support of police and their response during May Day, he added.
“He should really examine his comments to see if they really hold up to what everyone else saw during May Day,” Smith said.
Smith said police responded to May Day exactly how they were supposed to.
Harrell is the chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee. Smith is surprised Harrell is not supporting law enforcement.
“It’s outrageous,” Smith said.
Harrell’s term on the council ends this year. He was elected in 2012.
“We’re entering into election season and decisions have to be made and my members are paying attention,” Smith said.
In response to how SPD handled May Day, the department released a preliminary timeline of events.
