At a January 27 meeting of the East Precinct Crime Prevention Coalition, a crowd-shy Chief John Diaz took the unusual step of publicly condemning articles written by his own officers as “stupid.”
For example, Officer Steve Pomper criticized Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative and the city’s “socialist” agenda in the Seattle Police Officers’ Guild’s monthly paper, the Guardian. Diaz said the pieces were “bad for this entire organization, for the community.” He added that “it degrades trust in our police department.”
The meeting also marked the first time since his appointment that Diaz has spoken so bluntly about violent and incendiary incidents plaguing the Seattle Police Department under his short span as chief.
He discussed disciplining Officer Ian Birk, who fatally shot John T. Williams last August, within the next month. “Sometimes we make huge mistakes,” he admitted. “Those are the ones you have to hold me accountable for.”
His explanations, as well as his presence, served to reassure the crowd (who laughed at his jokes and thanked him before he left). And his sudden attendance at local crime meetings, along with other public commitments—such as attending a Stranger-sponsored police-accountability forum at City Hall (Thurs Feb 3, 7–9 pm)—shows that he’s finally willing to step out in public and address criticisms raised against his department head-on. 
Good. And if/when he actually moves into the city, I’ll be more convinced that he cares much about what goes on here.
Chief Diaz could demonstrate he is more than words by reigning in Officer Pomper. Pomper’s writing in the union’s Guardian newspaper is probably protected by labor laws. However Pomper’s critique of the cell phone law:
http://www.stevepomper/?=516#comment-1128
Clearly, to me, indicates his disdain for the law and his likely not enforcing it. This violates the 2006 Supreme Court decision that restricts public sector employees’ rights to free speech when a “reasonable person” would presume/perceive that a person is speaking as an employee. Pomper’s website and regular critiques of laws and our elected officials I believe makes him subject to disciplinary action.
Will Chief Diaz act or look the other way and just keep on talking while rogue and insubordinate officers roam our streets?
P.D. Irwin
http://www.BirkAction.com
… please visit, and tell your contacts…
I think the fact that people are dieing due to a “lack of something” in the Seattle Police Dept. would have the Chief chewing on the ears of Officers 24/7?
I’m thinking the thermometer of tolerance for Police ignorance was way to high a long time ago.
“Sometimes we make huge mistakes,” he admitted. “Those are the ones you have to hold me accountable for.”
The accountability is not reflecting those who are getting hurt and killed and suffering from police ignorance and as well its obvious that the police are not suffering from accountability for their actions as well?
Just watch the news and see how long it takes for an senseless death happens in Washington State.