CPC releases statement from the Co-Chairs on SPD Officer Auderer’s termination
On July 17, SPD Interim Chief Sue Rahr announced Daniel Auderer’s termination from the department.
CPC agrees with the termination and released this statement from the Co-Chairs in response. There is no room in our community, or policing anywhere, for officers who have the capacity to conduct themselves the way Detective Auderer did on that call with Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG) President Mike Solan. This event has shone a light on existing issues within the department and Detective Auderer’s actions and behavior that evening serve as a reminder that we have a lot of work to do towards addressing the culture that tolerated that conversation in the first place.
Our hearts reach out to Jaahnavi Kandula’s family and Seattle Indian community members. We hope this decision helps them during this long and difficult healing process.
Answering the FAQ: What might happen next?
We’ve received a few inquiries about what potential next move that Daniel Auderer could take to appeal the decision to terminate him from the department. Officers have a few different options to appeal decisions:
- One is to appeal through the Public Safety Civil Service Commission (PSCSC). For more information about that process check out PSCSC’s disciplinary appeals flow chart and read more about its appeal-filing process.
- More frequently, officers can appeal discipline decisions through the arbitration process. Since 2021, state legislation established a roster of specialized police grievance arbitrators at the state’s Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) to hear disciplinary grievances for police officers. All arbitrations that dispute police discipline, discharges, or terminations are required to be heard by one of PERC’s specialized arbitrators. State law also requires PERC law enforcement arbitration decisions to be published and made available to the public.
Take CPC's survey on police accountability
Speaking of the last two articles, as we continue engaging in advocacy on the next SPOG contract, we’re working to gain a baseline understanding of what community members know and believe about police accountability.
Please take 5-10 minutes to complete our survey to the best of your ability. Reach out to OCPC@seattle.gov if you need assistance or have questions.
SPD Use of Force reporting next steps
Based partly on data and community feedback received during a 2021 Town Hall on SPD use of force policy, CPC put forth the following draft recommendations for SPD to consider relating to its Use of Force reporting policy. The two recommendations include:
- An ask for additional reporting requirements for pointing a firearm (a Type I incident);
- In part, this is due to community feedback and OIG reporting that Black residents are more likely to have a firearm pointed at them than other racial/ethnic groups; and
- A request that the CPC Director should not be removed as a consulting partner to SPD for use of force reporting, given the community voice CPC serves to represent.
Our next steps are to continue engaging with the CPC Police Practices Work Group to further develop these policies and present those recommendations at our next Bi-Monthly Meeting on Wednesday, August 7. Reach out to OCPC@seattle.gov with any questions or feedback.
Watch last week’s Seattle Public Safety Committee meeting
In case you missed it, check out the action-packed Seattle City Council Public Safety Committee meeting from July 23 covering the appointment of Amy Smith as Chief of the Community Assisted Response and Engagement Department, an update from Seattle Police Department Interim Chief Sue Rahr, and a criminal justice ecosystem discussion.
All of the presentations and questions give insight into the recent public safety work and priorities taking place across the city so far this year.
Webinar: Using policing & social justice to strengthen stakeholder relationships
If you’re curious about what other cities are doing in the community police oversight space, check out this recent webinar with some good examples out of Philadelphia, PA.
The National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) recently hosted a group of staff members from the Citizens Police Oversight Commission of Philadelphia to discuss how oversight entities can strengthen relationships with stakeholders by acknowledging a community's concerns and needs, beyond policing. The speakers addressed leveraging pre-existing connections and credible messengers in the community and creating meaningful community engagement opportunities.
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