Seattle man needed state official’s help to avoid charges for ‘walking while black’

[countryjake]

2. Officer has been placed on "administrative assignment".

SPD officer at center of golf club complaint reassigned Jan 29, 2015
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/SPD-officer-at-center-of-2-complaints-reassigned-290265571.html

SEATTLE -- The Seattle police officer who wrongfully arrested a man with a golf club has been placed on administrative assignment while the department investigates.

Police arrested William Wingate last summer on Capitol Hill. An officer is seen on police dash cam video telling Wingate to put down a golf club after she says she saw him swing it at her.

The city attorney later dismissed the charges against Wingate, and Seattle Police returned the club after both agencies took a second look at the case.

Wingate, a retired Metro bus driver and military veteran, says he now has post-traumatic stress. Attorneys have filed claim seeking at least $750,000 in damages.

"I was afraid. I was scared. I didn't know what (the officer) was going to do. I didn't know what was going to happen to me," he said, about the July 2014 incident. "It was the most miserable night I've ever had."

Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole Orders Review of Officer Cynthia Whitlatch's Conduct Wed, Jan 28, 2015
http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2015/01/28/seattle-police-chief-kathleen-otoole-orders-review-of-officer-cynthia-whitlatchs-conduct


Was This Racist Post Written by the Cop Who Arrested an Elderly Man for "Walking in Seattle While Black"? Wed, Jan 28, 2015
http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2015/01/28/what-facebook-user-cynthia-whitlatch-wrote-about-chronic-black-racism

UPDATE Thursday 8:35 a.m.: Many are confused by Chief O'Toole's reference to "two incidents that took place during the summer of 2014." SPD spokesperson Sean Whitcomb clarifies that the two incidents are Officer Whitlatch's arrest of William Wingate in July and an alleged racially charged exchange of comments on Facebook with Brian Davis in August.