SEATTLE — The day after a KING 5 investigation revealed that two members of the Seattle police command staff were under criminal investigation and still on the job, a councilmember 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 being investigated for alleged domestic violence. Both men are still on the job. Neither man has been charged with a crime.
On Friday, Councilmember Cathy Moore called the allegations "deeply disturbing" and asked interim Chief Sue Rahr to place the men on leave while they're under investigation.
"Our community deserves a thorough investigation. In the meantime, in the interest of community trust in the Seattle Police Department, I am calling on Interim Police Chief Rahr to place these command staff members on administrative leave while the investigations run their course," Moore's statement read.
Moore is a member of the public safety committee who represents District 5. She previously served as a King County Superior Court Judge and worked as a Seattle public defender.
Councilmember Bob Kettle, who is chair of the public safety committee, said he respects “the Chief’s decision on personnel matters during investigations.”
In a statement released Friday, Kettle added that they “need to let the full investigation bring all the facts to the surface.”
He also emphasized that “there is no place for misogyny, gender discrimination, or criminal behavior in the Seattle Police Department or any other City of Seattle Department."
On Friday, Mayor Bruce Harrell and Rahr also released statements to KING 5.
Harrell said, "decisions related to command staff and SPD personnel are within her (Rahr's) purview" and that he knows any decisions about personnel will be "informed by a thorough and thoughtful review of all available facts and information.”
Rahr said the decision about whether to place someone on leave "requires that I look at the entire picture, not just the allegations. I have not seen substantiated evidence to justify removing accused employees.... for either of the cases currently underway."
Multiple law enforcement experts who spoke with KING 5 called it unusual for an officer under criminal investigation not to be placed on leave.
The accusations against the officers
KING 5 confirmed a former employee of Seattle’s Community Police Commission, who asked to remain anonymous, prompted the investigation into Davis. Davis, a 25-year veteran of the department, served as a liaison between the commission and SPD.
The woman said she met Davis at a work event on her second day. KING 5 reviewed dozens of text messages exchanged between the woman and Davis that show they had a relationship beyond the workplace. She alleged after meeting at a restaurant in March, Davis sexually assaulted her.
Davis’s attorney said the accusations are untrue.
Documents obtained by KING 5 show that in Barden’s case, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department received a referral in May from the OPA, saying it had received a complaint of “domestic abuse” against the assistant chief.
Barden didn’t respond to inquiries for the story.
Read the full statements
Mayor Bruce Harrell
“Allegations of this nature are very concerning, and we believe it is critical that any criminal investigations continue unimpeded. I appointed Chief Sue Rahr as the interim police chief because of her proven and nationally respected record as a law enforcement leader making difficult decisions to prioritize community safety, improve department culture, and support women in policing. Decisions related to command staff and SPD personnel are within her purview, and I know that any decision in this regard is – and will continue to be – informed by a thorough and thoughtful review of all available facts and information.”
Chief Sue Rahr
“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 swirling within and outside of SPD. I am determined to ensure credible and objective outside investigations of the allegations are conducted and remain independent of any influence from SPD. Any allegation that could potentially be criminal is always referred to the department of jurisdiction to conduct a criminal investigation. This is standard protocol and ensures the process is completed fairly. The decision to place someone on administrative leave during an investigation requires that I look at the entire picture, not just the allegations. I have not seen substantiated evidence to justify removing accused employees from duty during the investigations for either of the cases currently underway.”
Councilmember Bob Kettle:
"I respect the Chief’s decision on personnel matters during investigations. We need to let the full investigation bring all the facts to the surface regarding the allegations against Seattle Police Department leadership.
“It’s 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 City of Seattle Department. More broadly, we need to create a more equitable and inclusive environment for women in the organization, free of discrimination and harassment.”
Councilmember Cathy Moore:
“These allegations are deeply disturbing. Our community deserves a thorough investigation. In the meantime, in the interest of community trust in the Seattle Police Department, I am calling on Interim Police Chief Rahr to place these command staff members on administrative leave while the investigations run their course."