SSCC #380 & #381 – Tacoma

KIRO TV’s investigative unit has discovered Tacoma police used force to arrest and handcuff an innocent deaf woman after she called 911 for their help.

Instead of an apology, she ended up bloody and in jail for  early three days without an interpreter before a prosecutor declined to press charges.  

This whole incident is all sorts of fail and can easily be broken down as an officer was quick to resort to his taser without using his brain.  Then after screwing the pooch on that front they doubled down on stupid.

 State law on the employment of ASL interpreters for deaf suspects is clear. 

RCW 2.42.120 (4)requires law enforcement agencies conducting an investigation to “appoint and pay for a qualified interpreter throughout the investigation.”

RCW 2.42.120 (5) states “If a hearing impaired person is arrested for an alleged violation of a criminal law, the arresting officer or the officer’s supervisor shall, at the earliest possible time, procure and arrange payment for a qualified interpreter for any notification of rights, warning, interrogation, or taking of a statement. No employee of the law enforcement agency who has responsibilities other than interpreting may be appointed as a qualified interpreter.”

Basically these officers played the game of CYA and ended up violating more laws because of it.  There’s a reason the prosecutor didn’t file charges, no jury in the world would convict.  Further she probably saw the civil suit writing on the wall.  This ends up in the full count because of the following:

White said despite her repeated requests to police for a certified ASL interpreter, one was never provided.

The story is complex and the officers at the scene clearly had a different point of view.  KIRO 7 Investigators have tried to get their explanation for six weeks and while we’ve talked to Tacoma Police on the phone they would not respond to the allegations.  We’ve also sent them emails and left several messages. 

If Tacoma police want to explain their side of the story, we’ll have a follow-up. 

There is no doubt that the Tacoma Police will not be punishing the officers involved and will do nothing to mediate or resolve the situation they have created.  This is a textbook case of the state sponsoring its own criminals.

State Sponsored Criminal #380: Ryan Koskovich

#381: Michael Young

Because you immediately jump to the taser when you know there is a deaf woman involved.  Further, after finding out you tasered an innocent, you charge her with a crime and hold her against the law without an interpreter or informing your supervisor she’s deaf.  Because the police don’t have to follow the law, they are the law.

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About TMM

TMM is the owner, editor, and principal author at The Minuteman, a competitive shooter, and staff member for Boomershoot. Even in his free time he’s merging his love and knowledge of computers and technology with his love of firearms. Many know his private name and information however due to the current political climate, many are distancing themselves due to the abandonment of Due Process.

2 Responses to SSCC #380 & #381 – Tacoma

  1. Phssthpok says:

    RCW 9A.80.010
    Official misconduct.

    (1) A public servant is guilty of official misconduct if, with
    intent to obtain a benefit or to deprive another person of a lawful
    right or privilege:

    (a) He or she intentionally commits an unauthorized act under color of law; or

    (b) He or she intentionally refrains from performing a duty imposed upon him or her by law.

    (2) Official misconduct is a gross misdemeanor.

    Notify the Sheriff:

    RCW 36.28.011
    Duty to make complaint.

    In addition to the duties contained in RCW 36.28.010,
    it shall be the duty of all sheriffs to make complaint of all
    violations of the criminal law, which shall come to their knowledge,
    within their respective jurisdictions.

    RCW 42.20.100
    Failure of duty by public officer a misdemeanor.

    Whenever any duty is enjoined by law upon any public officer or
    other person holding any public trust or employment, their willful
    neglect to perform such duty, except where otherwise specially provided
    for, shall be a misdemeanor.

    The sad part is, the PA/DA has the final say on whether a charge get placed…and you KNOW the king won’t punish his own men.