City Hall
Council Member Harrell: "Disappointed" in Birk Decision
City council member Bruce Harrell sent out a press blast this morning declaring himself "disappointed" at the King County Prosecutor's decision not to prosecute SPD officer Ian Birk, who shot unarmed woodcarver John T. Williams in a downtown intersection last year.
"This matter demonstrates that changes to state law regarding the Public Inquest proceedings should be made. The public must have a restored confidence that the inquest process is fair, impartial and thorough. This result erodes public confidence in that process," Harrell said in his statement.
“Officer Birk should be disciplined to the fullest extent provided under the internal process used by the City of Seattle. Our recruitment and training of police officers must prevent this type of tragedy from occurring again. We must adopt a zero tolerance culture relative to the unlawful use of force."
In a separate statement, council public safety chair Tim Burgess said SPD should fire Birk.
At a press conference this morning, police chief John Diaz announced that the city's Firearms Review Board has determined unanimously that the shooting was unjustified, allowing SPD to start proceedings that could lead to Birk's firing. Diaz said he expected the proceedings to last until mid-March.
Mayor Mike McGinn has scheduled a press conference to discuss today's news this afternoon at 1, and protesters plan to demonstrate at city hall at 4.
"This matter demonstrates that changes to state law regarding the Public Inquest proceedings should be made. The public must have a restored confidence that the inquest process is fair, impartial and thorough. This result erodes public confidence in that process," Harrell said in his statement.
“Officer Birk should be disciplined to the fullest extent provided under the internal process used by the City of Seattle. Our recruitment and training of police officers must prevent this type of tragedy from occurring again. We must adopt a zero tolerance culture relative to the unlawful use of force."
In a separate statement, council public safety chair Tim Burgess said SPD should fire Birk.
At a press conference this morning, police chief John Diaz announced that the city's Firearms Review Board has determined unanimously that the shooting was unjustified, allowing SPD to start proceedings that could lead to Birk's firing. Diaz said he expected the proceedings to last until mid-March.
Mayor Mike McGinn has scheduled a press conference to discuss today's news this afternoon at 1, and protesters plan to demonstrate at city hall at 4.
