Seattle police chief ‘shocked, disappointed’ in council member’s remarks on police action on May Day

SEATTLE -- Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole said Wednesday night she was "shocked and disappointed" by City Council member Bruce Harrell's remarks about police actions with May Day protesters last Friday night.

Harrell, the chairman of the City Council's Public Safety Committee, questioned police officials earlier Wednesday over a bike officer's aggressive arrest of a protester during Friday night's May Day march on Capitol Hill, the Seattle Times reported.

He suggested the move was unnecessary and "created a melee."

"It just seems idiotic to me," Harrell was quoted as saying, referring to a bike officer racing toward a protester, jumping off his bike and tackling him. He referred to the move as looking like an "unprovoked" ramming.

On Wednesday night, O'Tool issued this statement:"I was shocked and disappointed to hear Councilmember Harrell’s comments today related to the SPD’s performance during the May Day demonstration on Friday evening.  His statements directly contradict the overwhelming, positive feedback the SPD has received from the community in recent days.

"The Seattle Police Department has worked hard with the US Department of Justice and our Monitor to develop the most comprehensive use of force policies and accountability systems of any police department in the United States. We must all respect the review process and allow it to run its course," she said.