Seattle Mayor Supports Besieged Police Chief
Although 88% of Seattle’s unionized police officers want Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske fired, Seattle’s mayor said he is standing by him despite almost dismissing him when he was elected last fall.
Mayor Greg Nickels said he supported the chief despite overwhelming opposition from the union.
The Seattle Police Officers Guild had said a poll on Kerlikowske showed 88% of the 1,014 members who voted disapproved of the chief.
Kerlikowske outraged many officers by ordering them not to intervene during a 2000 Mardi Gras riot that left scores injured and one young man dead. This year’s celebration was heavily policed and went off without violence.
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