New criticism for SPD after reform effort leader is arrested

A top Seattle Police official leading the department’s
reform efforts has been
arrested for alleged domestic violence and removed
from the reform task force.

Donnie R. Lowe has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor
charge of domestic-violence assault.

And after reviewing the checkered past of Lt. Lowe, that
includes another arrest and internal reprimands,
Ross and Burbank co-host Luke Burbank is questioning the
judgement of department brass that assigned Lowe to help
supervise reforms within the embattled department.

“If you’re looking for the people who should be running
the program to clean up the Seattle Police Department,
would you pick this guy and put him on the task force?”
Burbank asks.

The Seattle Time
reports Lowe’s past includes including
an arrest in 2008 on suspicion of driving under the
influence (DUI). He has also received internal reprimands
for inappropriate dealings with his son in a holding cell
and over his effort to retrieve nude photographs of a
relative.

Officials say Lowe was removed Sunday night from his role
helping lead the panel created to address Justice
Department findings of excessive and biased treatment of
minorities by Seattle Police.

Lowe was paid a reported $148,127 in regular and
overtime pay last year, according to the Times, causing
co-host Dave Ross to wonder what taxpayers are getting for
their money.

“I have to say I think for that for that kind of money,
you could find someone who would get in to a little less
trouble at the police department,” Ross says.

“Everyone who’s in law school drop out right now and
become a police officer with a checkered past because
apparently that’s how you make six figures,” Burbank says
sarcastically.

Police Chief John Diaz has ordered an outside agency, yet
to be
determined, to conduct the criminal
investigation.