Seattle Police union, officer responds to viral body cam controversy
Police union, officer responds to controversial body cam video
In January, a college student was killed while crossing the street when she was hit by a Seattle Police officer going 70 mph in a 25 mph zone while responding to an emergency. Months later, video of another officer apparently joking about the situation has gone viral worldwide.
SEATTLE - Following the release of body cam footage showing a Seattle Police officer laughing and making disparaging remarks about a woman hit and killed by another officer, city leaders are calling for fast response.
On Wednesday, City Councilmember Tammy Morales called out Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz, urging him to take immediate action against Officer Daniel Auderer.
SPD released body cam footage of Auderer laughing and joking following the death of 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula.
In January, Kandula was crossing the street when an officer slammed his patrol car into her, throwing her 100 feet and killing her.
The officer was responding to an overdose emergency call and driving 74 mph in a 25-mph zone.
Morales called Auderer's comments "abhorrent."
"After every high-profile incident of police abuse, we're told to wait—wait for a six-month-long investigation, or a years-long review process. We're done waiting," she said. "I'm calling on Chief Diaz to tell the council and the community, in real terms, how he plans to regain control of his department fix the culture," Morales added.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: VIDEO: Seattle police officer laughs about woman hit, killed by patrol car
The previous day, Councilmember Lisa Herbold addressed the video before the Public Safety and Human Services Committee meeting.
"Before we move into public comment, I do just want to say a few words. I feel really compelled to address the recently released body cam footage and audio recording regarding careless and inhumane messaging," she said.
Herbold read remarks from the Seattle Community Police Commission who called the video "heartbreaking, shockingly insensitive, and damaging to the trust that the department is trying to build with Seattle communities."
Herbold said she is angered and disappointed by the officer, but is happy for accountability systems in place that brought the video to light.
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Other members of the community feel this incident could set back the years of work that has been done to build trust between officers and the city.
"I was in disbelief when I saw it and heard it," said Victoria Beach.
Beach is the chair of the African American Advisory Council for the Seattle Police Department.
She has worked with SPD for five years, attempting to build stronger relationships with the department and the community.
"I will be talking to the chief, and I can’t continue the work if officers aren’t going to be held accountable," said Beach.
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She says her heart breaks for the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, who now have to deal with another traumatic experience from the Seattle Police Department.
"I can’t imagine someone talking about my loved one like she’s a piece of trash and laughing about it," said Beach.
On Wednesday, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell sent a letter to Kandula's family saying the city does not stand with Auderer's words.
"I want to be clear that the comments made by one person do not reflect the feelings of our city or the communities that call it home. We recognize that Jaahnavi’s death is a loss for our whole community—the loss of a young woman who had so much life ahead of her to do amazing things and share that joy with loved ones," he wrote.
Enoka Heart, Policing and Immigration Policy Program Director at ACLU Washington issued the following statement:
"The comments made by Officer Auderer are abhorrent and highlight the urgent need for a real transformation of policing culture and practices at the Seattle Police Department. At the very least, we expect officers to uphold the law, protect and serve all community members, and value each of our lives. To suggest Jaahnavi Kandula or anyone’s life has ‘limited value’ is a horrifying comment for an officer to make and leads us to question the department’s ability to keep people in Seattle safe. These comments were made public after a recent decision by a judge to end many aspects of federal oversight of the Seattle Police Department. We said then that ending federal oversight does not mean ‘mission accomplished.’ These disgusting comments, in addition to footage released over the summer showing that a mock tombstone of Damarius Butts, another person of color killed by SPD officers, was on display in a precinct, further prove that SPD is not a transformed organization. The city must hold Officer Auderer and the department accountable for the violence and harm they continue to cause, so that all Seattle residents feel valued and safe. Our thoughts are with Jaahnavi’s family."
The Seattle Police Officer's Guild (SPOG) released the following statement on Friday:
"The Seattle Police Officers’ Guild understands the attention and outrage surrounding the viral video which captures highly insensitive comments regarding the death of Jaahnavi Kandula by Officer Dan Auderer. Without context, this audio is horrifying and has no place in a civil society. It sullens the profession of law enforcement, the reputation of all Seattle Police officers and paints Seattle in a terrible light. We feel deep sorrow and grief for the family of Jaahnavi Kandula as this video has revictimized them in an already tragic situation as they continue to mourn her death. We are truly sorry.
Some viral videos of police actions shared by media, fail to explain the full story/context. This Seattle Police video is an example of that reality. The video captures only one side of the conversation. There is much more detail and nuance that has not been made public yet… SPOG has full confidence that the civilian led police accountability system known as the Office of Police Accountability / OPA will conduct a thorough and fair investigation.
Furthermore, SPOG wants our community to know the actions that Dan took to hold himself accountable. Upon being made aware of the existence of this video, Dan immediately took ownership of his actions and authored a statement requesting that the Director of OPA (Gino Betts) consider the course of "Rapid Adjudication". Rapid Adjudication is a disciplinary process that was agreed to by the City of Seattle and the SPOG to expedite police employee misconduct investigations so accountability can be swiftly addressed, and reasonable discipline imposed. This was done by Dan more than 4 weeks before the release of the video.
There is no doubt that any loss of life is tragic. We as police officers swear an oath of service that mandates that we do our best to protect and preserve life at all costs, even if we were to lose our own lives in the performance of our duties. With that understood, we also know that in our service to others, tragedy can strike at any moment. This was unfortunately the case in the tragic death of Jaahnavi Kandula.
For clarity, we have included Dan’s statement to Director Betts below. Dan authored this statement directly from memory and without the ability to watch the video. This vital contextual information has not been included in most of the media coverage.
Respectfully,
Seattle Police Officers Guild"
SPOG also released Officer Dan Auderer's statement to Director Betts:
Dear Director Betts,
On January 23, 2023, I was dispatched from home to assist with a fatality collision involving a city vehicle. I am typically dispatched to most of the cities major injury collisions and fatalities. My duty during these incidents is to investigate the drivers of vehicles for signs of impairment that would make them unsafe to operate a motor vehicle. While enroute I was notified that a young adult female was severely injured after being hit by an SPD Patrol car. Before arriving I was notified that the female had passed. I received no other information (which is not uncommon). I did not respond to the scene which is common in most incidents. I will contact drivers blocks from the scene or in the hospital. I responded to the location of the involved driver (West Precinct). After completing my investigation I left the Precinct.
While enroute home I called Mike Solan to give him an update regarding what had occurred. The phone call was inadvertently recorded on my BWV which had turned on. The conversation took place in my patrol car. I was the only occupant. During that phone call Mike Solan stated something to the effect that it was unfortunate that this would turn into lawyers arguing ‘The value of human life.’ Mike Solan asked me as he was lamenting the loss of life something similar to: ‘ What crazy argument can a lawyer make in something like this? What crazy thing can they come up with.’ I responded with something like: ‘She’s 26 years old, what value is there, who cares.’ I intended the comment as a mockery of lawyers – I was imitating what a lawyer tasked with negotiating the case would be saying and being sarcastic to express that they shouldn’t be coming up with crazy arguments to minimize the payment. I laughed at the ridiculousness of how these incidents are litigated and the ridiculousness of how I have watched these incidents play out as two parties bargain over a tragedy. At the time I believed the conversation was private and not being recorded. The conversation was also not within the course of my duties.
I understand that without context the comment could be interpreted as horrifying and crude. Without context the comment is insensitive to the family of the victim when in reality I was involved in a conversation regarding the callousness of the legal system. At the time I had no idea who the victim was. All I knew was the persons approximate age and sex. That being said I do understand that one side of the conversation was recorded on my BWV. I do understand that if a citizen were to hear it that they would rightfully believe I was being insensitive to the loss of a human life. I also understand that if heard it could diminish the trust in the Seattle Police Department and make all of our jobs more difficult. With all of that being said the comment was not made with malice or a hard heart, quite the opposite. My intent in requesting rapid adjudication is to be as transparent as possible. I am willing to accept any reasonable discipline our accountability partners and the Chief of Police wish to hand down.
Respectfully,
Daniel Auderer #7499
Officials with the Seattle Office of Police Accountability say the incident is under investigation. They say they will provide recommendations on how to move forward by January.
Auderer has been under investigation by the OPA in the past, for allegations of improper use of force, false arrests and violation of professional standards.