A Seattle cop was put on leave after using sexist and racist slurs in an altercation with his Chinese-American neighbor, marking the second such incident this month for the police department.
He Was Upset About Food Scraps
An anonymous person published the audio, which seems to capture Seattle Police Officer Burton Hill hurling explicit sexist and racist insults at his neighbor.
The video, recorded in August 2022, showed a dispute over alleged food scraps left outside that allegedly could have harmed Hill’s dog.
The Officer Went to Their House
The recorded exchange, which took place at their Kenmore condominium complex, was captured by the neighbor after Hill knocked on her door.
The Slurs Started to Fly
Then it appears the officer starts hurling derogatory language targeting women and Asian individuals, repeatedly labeling the woman as “dumb” and “stupid.”
The Neighbor Filed a Complaint
The neighbor subsequently lodged a complaint with Seattle’s Office of Police Accountability, which is now investigating Hill’s alleged misconduct, according to Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz.
‘Racist Language Is Completely Unacceptable’
“Although I will ultimately defer, as I am required, to the outcome of OPA’s investigation, racist language is completely unacceptable and is inconsistent with the high standards the department sets for its employees,” Diaz stated on Friday.
Police Chief Didn’t Know
Diaz expressed concerns about not being aware of the incident for an entire year, leading him to initiate a review of Hill’s arrest and investigation history in response.
Officials Want More Accountability
Elected officials in Seattle voiced their concerns about the SPD’s culture once the audio became public, echoing previous calls for heightened accountability.
‘Racism Has No Place in Our Police Department’
“While city law prevents me from commenting on the details of the event undergoing OPA investigation, racism has no place in our Police Department and in our city. Full stop,” stated Mayor Bruce Harrell, commending Diaz for taking prompt action when the audio surfaced.
Council Members Demand Action
Seattle City Council member Tammy Morales also demanded “a plan of action” from the Police Department.
The Behavior Is Inexcusable
Morales remarked, “The reality is that no other city employee would be excused from this behavior, where they can laugh and joke about killing somebody, spit racist slurs, and continue taking home a six-figure paycheck”
This Is the Second Incident
Morales was among the first officials to raise concerns about SPD when another incident involving an officer’s conduct towards an Asian woman came to light last week.
They Were Making Jokes About a Dead Person
In that incident, body-camera footage captured Daniel Auderer, vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, making jokes with the union’s president, Mike Solan, after Officer Kevin Dave fatally struck 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula with his car while speeding to respond to an overdose report in South Lake Union on January 23.
This Person Had ‘Limited Value’
In the video, Auderer, a drug-recognition officer assigned to determine if Dave was under the influence, referred to Kandula as a “regular person” with “limited value” and suggested that the department should “write a check” in response to her death.
They Said It Was Satire
Although the union contended that Auderer’s remarks were satirical comments about the legal process following Kandula’s death, the audio provoked international outrage and calls from local officials for increased oversight of SPD and SPOG.
They’re All Still on Duty
Council member Morales noted on Friday, just before Chief Diaz announced Hill’s administrative leave, that “Burton Hill, Daniel Auderer, and Kevin Dave are all still on duty.
So far, none of these officers have faced consequences or even been placed on leave.”
The Police Department Declined to Comment
An SPD spokesperson declined to comment on Auderer’s or Dave’s status with the department.
The Officer Was Placed on Leave
Earlier this week, the Community Police Commission asked Chief Diaz to place Auderer on leave and to engage with the commission, the OPA, and the Office of Inspector General to discuss concerns about SPD’s culture.
No Response From the Chief
Co-Chairperson Joel Merkel stated on Friday that the CPC had not received a response from the chief and that they intend to initiate discussions with the SPD regarding The Stranger’s revelations.
‘Feels Never-Ending’
Merkel remarked, “It speaks to the cultural issues we keep raising. It feels never-ending at this point.”
Power Without Consequences
Council member Teresa Mosqueda posted on social media that Hill’s alleged treatment of his neighbor is a result “of a culture that fosters abuse of power without consequences.”
Increase in Crimes Against Asian Americans
Mosqueda also said the conduct’s alarming nature, particularly in light of the increase in hate crimes against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
A Racially Motivated Attack
Just this week, a man was charged with a hate crime for allegedly vandalizing Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, smashing nine windows in an apparently racially motivated attack a week earlier. Criticism arose as Seattle police reportedly took more than 45 minutes to respond.
Concerns Over the Rise in Attacks
Harrell expressed his concern about the rise in attacks against people of Asian descent and his determination to rebuild trust between Seattle police and city residents.
An Increase in Hate-Filled Attacks
“This comes at a time when AAPI communities in Seattle and around the country have seen an unacceptable increase in hate-filled attacks,” Harrell said.
“I understand and acknowledge the community’s outrage and disappointment stemming from recent incidents.”
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The post “Laugh and Joke About Killing Somebody, Spit Racist Slurs” – Second Seattle Police Officer Suspended for Racial Slurs Amidst Concerns Over Rise in Hate Crimes first appeared on Wealthy Living.
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