Seattle officer who arrested black man for walking with a golf club ‘should be fired’

[marmar]

A white Seattle officer should be fired for biased and improper policing after she arrested an elderly black man using a golf club as a cane during a walk last summer, the director of a police watchdog group said on Tuesday.

The Office of Professional Accountability found Seattle patrol officer Cynthia Whitlatch engaged in biased policing, among other policy violations, when she arrested William Wingate, now 70, last July, the group’s civilian director Pierce Murphy said.

“After careful review and consideration of all the evidence, I recommended that the Chief of Police sustain the allegations and end the involved officer’s employment,” said Murphy.

The recommendations come after a U.S. District Court approved new de-escalation policies for the Seattle police department, which has been under federal monitoring for excessive force.

.....(snip).....

In Seattle, Wingate sued the city and the arresting officer, seeking about $750,000 in damages for racial discrimination, violation of his civil rights and “substantial humiliation, mental and emotional distress.” The case is pending.

Wingate, a military veteran who requires a cane to walk, was using the golf club as a crutch, according to court papers. His arrest sparked protests. Charges against Wingate were dropped after his arrest and the police department has apologized. ........(more)

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/07/seattle-officer-who-arrested-black-man-for-walking-with-a-golf-club-should-be-fired/

[irisblue]

1. and all because the dashboard camera recorded it

he might get some justice. Fire her Seattle, your city doesn't need that reputation or officer.

[BillZBubb]

2. How come that cop hasn't already been fired?

Once she said she arrested him for walking with a golf club, the chief of police should have told her to turn in her badge and that she's not in right line of work.

[madokie]

3. One step at a time

at least the step is in the right direction this time.

[BlueJazz]

4. I suppose a golf club would make a pretty strong cane. What I'm at a loss is>

What the hell was she thinking?

[marmar]

5. Did a little web search on her name ...........

...... Her ex-girlfriend described her as a racist.

[BlueJazz]

7. Ah..that explains it. Thanks!

PS Must not be that bright, either..

[JackInGreen]

10. You should have seen

Her Facebook when the story first broke before it was scrubbed. Pretty vile brutality boosterism and boldly racist content.

[libdem4life]

6. Simple. ..arrest black folk. ..surely he's done something wrong

[Spitfire of ATJ]

15. There was a time in the Middle Ages when it was against the law to dress outside of your class....

She obviously felt it improper for an old black guy to even HAVE a golf club, much less to use it as a cane. I'm sure he held it upside down by the head. A classic putter would be ideal for that.

[PSPS]

8. As usual, the corrupt and racist "police union" (criminal mouthpiece) stands behind her.

[Chakab]

9. I remember this case. She was also caught writing about angry screeds about online about police

discrimination against black people being imaginary. Then she goes out and falsely accuses an elderly black man of trying assault her.

[roguevalley]

11. on God he could have been my little dad.

[suffragette]

12. She should be fired and Mr. Wingate should be awarded the maximum.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

13. "Golf is for WHITE PEOPLE!!!"

"Where'd you steal that club, BOY?"

(And this is on "The Left Coast&quot

[blackspade]

14. WTF?

What about the second amendment?
I thought open carry was a-ok these days....oh, right, he is black...

[awoke_in_2003]

16. A new one, WWGCWBANBA

Walking with golf club while black, and not being a caddy