Seattle Police Officer Under Investigation for Callous Remarks on Death of Woman in Crosswalk
Seattle’s Community Police Commission has recommended that Officer Daniel Auderer be placed on unpaid leave and Chief Adrian Diaz establish a workgroup to address concerns with the culture of policing within the department. The commission’s recommendation comes after Auderer made callous remarks about the death of a 23-year-old woman who was struck by another officer’s cruiser in a crosswalk.
Officer Auderer is currently under investigation by the Office of Police Accountability for his comments, which were captured on body camera footage. In the video, Auderer described the victim as a regular person and suggested that the department should write a check. He even laughed and stated that the victim had limited value. The comments have been widely condemned, with people in India, where the victim was born, expressing outrage.
The Community Police Commission, an independent body responsible for overseeing the Seattle Police Department, called Auderer’s remarks horrifying in a letter to Chief Diaz. They expressed concerns about Auderer’s ability to interact with the community and requested the chief’s engagement in addressing the department’s culture and practices.
This is not the first time Officer Auderer has faced scrutiny. According to the commission, he has been the subject of 29 complaints since 2014, including allegations of bias, unprofessional conduct, and use of force. Three of these complaints resulted in sustained findings.
The letter from the commission also raised concerns about a conflict of interest, as Auderer, as a leader in the Seattle Police Officers Guild, participated in the investigation of the officer involved in the fatal incident.
In response to the controversy, the guild released a letter from Auderer to the Office of Police Accountability, where he claimed that his comments were meant as a mockery of lawyers involved in negotiating the case. However, the commission stated that there is no context that could justify or make these comments acceptable.
The Seattle Police Department and the guild have yet to comment on the latest developments. The recommendation for Auderer to be placed on unpaid leave will now be considered by Chief Diaz, and further actions may be taken based on the outcome of the Office of Police Accountability’s investigation.
This incident highlights the need for ongoing scrutiny of police practices and the importance of ensuring that officers are held accountable for their actions and statements. The Community Police Commission’s recommendations aim to address these concerns and work towards a more respectful and equitable culture within the Seattle Police Department.
