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  • SPD
  • "I have no tolerance whatsoever for arrogance or rogue cops," O'Toole said in an interview last June.

Sam Byrd is the East Precinct police officer who wrote things like "social justice is nothing more than racism"; "the Feds will look for any reason to take over local law enforcement. If the facts aren't there, the facts are fabricated"; and much, much more on his Twitter feed, as I reported yesterday.

At about 9 p.m., Seattle police chief Kathleen O'Toole sent out the following department-wide e-mail:

For the second time in two weeks, I am placing an officer on administrative leave due to social media posts that have been called into question. The matter has been referred to the Office of Professional Accountability.

We have been working in consultation with the City Attorney’s Office on a draft social media policy since August. I have expedited the draft and it has been sent to the Monitoring Team and the Department of Justice.

I am particularly disappointed by these incidents because they undermine community trust, the reputation of the SPD and the outstanding work of many professional, hard-working officers. I will continue to take decisive action against this type of behavior. I expect all SPD members to demonstrate professionalism, common sense and good judgment.

Kathleen M. O’Toole

Chief of Police