FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/15/2015

Council President Burgess’ Statement on Disciplinary Decision by Chief O’Toole

SEATTLE – Council President Tim Burgess issued the following statement in response to the decision of Seattle Police Department Chief Kathleen O’Toole to fire Officer Cynthia Whitlatch:

"The Chief of Police has sent a strong and appropriate signal. Officer behavior that compromises public trust is not acceptable in Seattle.

"When the Council confirmed Chief O’Toole last year, we expected her to set a high bar for our officers. Since that time, Chief O’Toole has taken strong measures to create a culture of effective and constitutional policing and to restore pride within the department.

"Public trust and confidence in the police is necessary for effective policing and public safety. Respectful and responsible day-to-day encounters between police officers and the public are the basis of this trust.

"I appreciate the Chief’s strong and decisive leadership and I value the efforts of the women and men of the police department who work every day to keep our community safe."

[View in Council Newsroom]