Seattle City Council calls for leave of absence for two police commanders

SEATTLE – A day after a KING 5 investigation found that two members of Seattle Police Command were under criminal investigation while still on duty, a council member on the Public Safety Committee is calling for them to be placed on leave.

Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis is under investigation for alleged sexual assault and Deputy Chief Eric Barden is under investigation for alleged domestic violence. Both men remain on the force. Neither man has been charged with a crime.

On Friday, City Councilwoman Cathy Moore called the allegations “deeply disturbing” and asked interim city manager Sue Rahr to place the men on leave for the duration of the investigation.

“Our community deserves a thorough investigation. In the meantime, in the interest of the community’s trust in the Seattle Police Department, I am requesting that Interim Chief Rahr place these senior staff members on administrative leave pending the investigation,” Moore’s statement said.

Moore is a member of the Public Safety Committee and represents the 5th District. She previously served as a King County Superior Court judge and worked as a public defender in Seattle.

Council member Bob Kettle, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, said he respected “the chief’s decision on personnel matters during the investigation.”

In a statement released Friday, Kettle added that they “need to await the full investigation so that all the facts come to light.”

He also stressed that “there is no place for misogyny, gender discrimination, or criminal behavior in the Seattle Police Department or any other agency of the City of Seattle.”

On Friday, Mayor Bruce Harrell and Rahr also made statements to KING 5.

Harrell said “decisions regarding the command staff and SPD personnel are within her (Rahr’s) area of ​​responsibility” and he knows that all personnel decisions “are based on a thorough and careful review of all available facts and information.”

Rahr said the decision whether to place someone on leave “requires me to look at the whole picture, not just the allegations. I have not seen any substantive evidence that would justify the termination of accused employees … in any of the cases currently underway.”

Several law enforcement experts who spoke to KING 5 called it unusual for an officer under criminal investigation not to be placed on leave.

KING 5 confirmed that a former Seattle Community Police Commission employee, who wished to remain anonymous, initiated the investigation into Davis. Davis, who has worked for the department for 25 years, served as a liaison between the commission and SPD.

The woman said she met Davis on her second day on the job at a work event. KING 5 reviewed dozens of text messages exchanged between the woman and Davis that show they had a relationship outside of work as well. She claimed Davis sexually harassed her after meeting at a restaurant in March.

Davis’ lawyer said the allegations were untrue.

Documents obtained by KING 5 show that in the Barden case, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department received a report from the OPA in May stating that a “domestic violence” complaint had been received against the deputy police chief.

Barden did not respond to inquiries about the story.

RELATED TOPICS: 2 members of Seattle Police Command under criminal investigation, still on duty

“Allegations of this nature are very concerning and we believe it is critical that all criminal investigations proceed unhindered. I appointed Chief Sue Rahr as interim police chief because of her proven and nationally recognized law enforcement leadership record and her ability to make difficult decisions to prioritize community safety, improve department culture and support women in policing. Decisions regarding command and SPD personnel are within her purview and I know that any decision in this regard is – and will continue to be – based on a thorough and careful review of all available facts and information.”

“I was brought into the Seattle Police Department as interim chief to bring stability to an organization in turmoil. There have been many allegations and counter-allegations within and outside of SPD. I am committed to ensuring that credible and objective external investigations of the allegations are conducted and remain independent of any influence from SPD. Any allegation that has the potential to be criminally relevant is always referred to the appropriate agency for a criminal investigation. This is standard protocol and ensures that the process is completed fairly. The decision to place someone on administrative leave pending an investigation requires that I look at the whole picture, not just the allegations. I have not seen any substantive evidence that would justify the removal of accused employees from duty pending investigations into any of the cases currently underway.”

Council Member Bob Kettle:

“I respect the Chief’s decision on personnel matters during the investigation. We must ensure that the comprehensive investigation brings to light all the facts regarding the allegations against the leadership of the Seattle Police Department.

“It is also important for women to share their experiences. To be clear: There is no place for misogyny, gender discrimination or criminal behavior in the Seattle Police Department or any other department in the City of Seattle. More broadly, we must create a more equitable and inclusive environment for women in the organization, free from discrimination and harassment.”

Council Member Cathy Moore:

“These allegations are deeply disturbing. Our community deserves a thorough investigation. In the meantime, in the interest of the community’s trust in the Seattle Police Department, I am calling on Interim Chief Rahr to place these senior staff members on administrative leave pending the investigation.”