Republished with full copyright permissions from The Washington Daily Chronicle.

In a recent incident that has caused outrage and called into question the accountability of law enforcement, a body-worn camera captured Seattle Police Department union leader, Daniel Auderer, making insensitive comments following the tragic death of Jaahnavi Kandula. The incident has sparked an investigation by a city watchdog agency, leaving the local community and beyond deeply concerned about the values and mindset of those responsible for public safety.

The Incident:
On January 23, Officer Kevin Dave struck and killed Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old woman, while driving at a high speed to respond to an overdose call. In a recording released by the police department, Daniel Auderer, the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, can be heard jokingly suggesting that Kandula’s life had “limited value” and that the city should “just write a check.” It is important to note that the recording did not capture the remarks made by guild President Mike Solan.

Explanation and Repercussions:
Auderer later provided a written statement to the city’s Office of Police Accountability, stating that his comments were intended to mock how lawyers might downplay the tragedy and minimize liability. He claimed that they were not made with malice or insensitivity, but rather to highlight the flawed process of litigating such incidents. However, the comments, when viewed without context, understandably come across as lacking empathy for the loss of a human life.

Investigation and Public Trust:
The Office of Police Accountability designated the case as classified, and the details of Auderer’s statement have not been independently verified. Auderer voluntarily reported himself to the accountability office after realizing his comments had been recorded, in order to mitigate any negative impact on community trust in the Seattle Police Department. The department has underscored its commitment to transparency and accountability by swiftly referring the matter to the appropriate authority for investigation.

Broader Implications:
The incident comes at a pivotal moment when the Seattle Police Department’s federal oversight has mostly ended, marking progress from a 2012 consent decree aimed at addressing concerns related to the use of force and community trust. The audio recording has prompted criticism from the Community Police Commission, an oversight organization, expressing their disappointment and calling for improved standards of conduct to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the community.