The Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG) has released its first round of endorsements. From their press release:
Seattle City Attorney: Tom Carr
Tom Carr’s proven leadership and experience is critical to keeping Seattle safe. His initiatives with the North Precinct Auto Theft Project resulted in a 60% drop in citywide auto theft. Tom has also been a leader in protecting domestic violence victims and prosecuting drunk drivers. Seattle Police Guild President, Sgt. Rich O’Neill said, “The police officers need an experienced prosecutor like Tom Carr working with them to keep Seattle safe. Tom’s opponent has no experience prosecuting criminals. This position is too important to be accomplished with on the job training.”
Seattle City Council Position # 6: Jessie Israel
Jessie’s enthusiasm and proven track record of working with diverse groups to get things done is desperately needed on the Seattle City Council. Jessie is committed to working with law enforcement groups to strengthen public safety in all of Seattle’s neighborhoods. Seattle Police Guild President, Sgt. Rich O’Neill said, “Jessie impressed us as someone who will get things done. Her enthusiasm for public service is inspiring and she will be the breath of fresh air that the council needs.”
Neither of these endorsements are particularly surprising. The guild repeatedly butted heads and filed labor complaints against Carr’s opponent, Pete Holmes, while he was the head of the Office of Professional Accountability Review Board. In 2007, the guild complained that the Holmes-led OPARB overstepped their authority by reviewing an investigation into alleged misconduct in a downtown drug arrest. Holmes and OPARB were also unable to release a full final report on police accountability because they feared being sued by SPOG.
SPOG’s endorsement of Israel also isn’t much of a shock as she is running against current council member Nick Licata, who has also frequently battled the guild over police accountability issues.
Seattle City Council Position #4: Sally Bagshaw
Sally Bagshaw has dedicated her life to public service. Sally’s work in the King County Prosecutor’s Office demonstrated her ability to not only be a leader, but also to work as a member of a team. This experience will be very valuable on the city council. Seattle Police Guild President, Sgt. Rich O’Neill said, “Sally has such a wide range of knowledge on so many issues. She understands that public safety is the foundation of a livable community and we look forward to working with her.”
The guild also endorsed Judge Anne Ellington for the Court of Appeals.
“In none of these was it a tie or really even close,” Seattle Police Officers Guild president Rich O’Neill says.
The guild should be issuing its next round of endorsements—including the mayor’s race—in August. “These were the decisions they were comfortable making right now,” O’Neill says.
If I had no other reason to put a Pete Holmes sign on my lawn, this would be a good one.
And as a result I will be voting for none of these.
Don’t hold SPOG’s endorsement of Anne Ellington against her. She wears comfortable shoes/is a friend of teh gays, you know.
Ahh, the Guild. I’d love to see someone bust that union hard.
SPOG is so disgustingly pro-keystone kop/bad cop. We could have an SPD officer shoot a newborn baby in the head for no reason whatsoever and SPOG would be screaming that no investigation was necessary, the officer was wrongly fired, blah fucking blah.
I like cops… I want to be a cop. But SPOG is just so fucking evil.
What percentage of SPOG members live in Seattle?
What are thes comments about Judge Ellington? She is an outstanding judge and if you doubt that for a minute.. go to VOTINGFORJUDGES.ORG.. and read her and her opponents ratings and their own statements and answers to questionnaires from the KCBA andthe MuniLeague. This web site is neutral and simply provides information if you care about voting for judges.