Police officer goes over the top on overtime, former police chief’s staffer quits amid investigation, and an election-night silver lining for progressives.
Monday, November 4
Harrell’s Budget Eliminates Brand-New Tribal Nations Training Program
When he announced his budget proposal, Mayor Bruce Harrell emphasized that it wouldn’t impact direct, public-facing city services, but would instead focus on “internal” cuts. Those cuts turned out to include most of the city HR department’s diversity and inclusion programs, including a brand-new set of trainings designed to teach city employees how to work with local tribal organizations.
Tuesday, November 5
Officers responding to a 911 call from local Turning Point USA activist Jonathan Choe were skeptical of his claim that a trans woman had “attacked” him with her phone, forcing him to punch and drag her along the street by her hair in “self-defense,” with one shouting “he’s fuckin’ lying, dude!” right after the call ended.
Wednesday, November 6
Alexis Mercedes Rinck Wins Decisively Over Appointed City Council Incumbent Tanya Woo
Challenger Alexis Mercedes Rinck’s decisive win over appointed city councilmember Tanya Woo was a bright spot for progressives on a grim election night—doubling the number of progressives on the council to two out of nine.
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Thursday, November 7
Officer Suspended for Excessive Overtime—Again–After Claiming He Worked 133 Hours In One Week
Seattle Police Officer Ron Willis, in the news a few years back for claiming excessive overtime, was caught again working more than SPD’s mandatory limit of 90 hours a week. This time, Willis reported working 133 hours in just one week (plus 10 hours of vacation pay), prompting police chief Sue Rahr to issue the unusually harsh penalty. Willis is appealing, saying the punishment is excessive.
Friday, November 8
Council Ditches Tracking Tool that Provided Unprecedented Transparency Into Its Budget Process
Last year’s city budget process was one of the most transparent in history, thanks in huge part to an interactive budget tool that provided accessible, in-depth information about the council’s budget proposals . This year, the council has eliminated the tool, ending a brief era of public transparency into a sometimes byzantine budget process.
Chief of Staff to Former SPD Chief Adrian Diaz Resigns Amid Allegations She Lied to Investigators
PubliCola broke the news that Jamie Tompkins, the former chief of staff to ex-police chief Adrian Diaz, resigned on Thursday amid allegations that she and Diaz lied to investigators looking into whether the two had a romantic relationship when he hired her, which would be a violation of department policy. Diaz, whom multiple women have accused of sexual harassment and discrimination, told a right-wing talk show host he was gay earlier this year.