Curley compares King County Councilmember with Bernie Sanders
Nov 2, 2015, 1:10 PM | Updated: 1:28 pm
Much like Bernie Sanders voting against the Iraq War, King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert voted in the minority for King County's Charter Amendment No. 1.
A majority of King County Councilmembers and the sheriff agree that adding teeth to a citizen oversight committee would be good for the King County Sheriff’s Office. So, of course, KIRO Radio’s John Curley is unconvinced.
“Vote no,” Curley said.
Related: MyNorthwest 2015 Election Guide
King County’s Charter Amendment No. 1 gives voters a chance to add civilian oversight to the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight. There OLEO is tasked with monitoring officer’s behaviors, but it is widely believed, and backed by a recent audit, to have weak actual oversight capabilities. The Seattle Times wrote that measure would “elevate the role of OLEO and a citizen’s advisory committee, and protect their work from the whims of politicians.”
Curley’s co-host Tom Tangney advocates for a “yes” vote, in part because it received majority support from the county council and a recommendation from King County Sheriff John Urquhart.
But Curley noted that Council Member Kathy Lambert was a lone voice in opposition, seeing the update as unnecessary and potentially expensive.
John Curley I will remind you that Bernie Sanders didn’t vote for the Iraq War. So every once in a while a Patriot does stand out.
Tom Tangney I don’t think Kathy Lambert is going to appreciate the Bernie Sanders connection, but go ahead.
JC: I’m just saying, having some strength in your principles, that’s all.
TT: But I say, even the sheriff is welcoming this oversight, he thinks this will be good for the reputation of the King County Sheriffs (Office).
JC: Tom, the sheriff has to say that.
TT: No, no, no, he easily could fight it.
JC: No, no, no, the sheriff can’t fight that. The sheriff has to go, “Oh really, you want us to be more… ya we’ll do that.” It’s an elected position, of course they have to be like that.
TT: He thinks it will work. It’s just like body cameras on cops; it will show how well the cops are working when you have a really good civilian oversight.
JC: No, it’s another layer of bureaucracy.
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Tune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 3pm for The John Curley Show.
