Investigation Launched into Seattle Police Department Union Leader’s Insensitive Remarks Following Deadly Crash
Seattle, WA – A city watchdog agency is launching an investigation after a body-worn camera captured a shocking conversation between two Seattle Police Department union leaders following the death of a woman who was struck and killed by a police cruiser. The incident took place on January 23, when officer Kevin Dave struck and killed 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula as she was crossing the street. Officer Daniel Auderer, who is the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, was assigned to evaluate whether Dave was impaired at the time of the incident.
In a recording released by the police department on Monday, Auderer can be heard joking about Kandula’s death and suggesting that her life had “limited value.” He inaccurately stated Kandula’s age, saying she was 26. “Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26 anyway. She had limited value,” Auderer can be heard saying in the recording. The recording did not capture the remarks made by guild President Mike Solan.
Neither Auderer nor Solan responded to requests for comment. However, a conservative talk radio host, Jason Rantz, reported that he had obtained a written statement from Auderer in which he explained that his comments were intended to mock how the city’s attorneys might try to minimize liability for incidents like this. Auderer claimed that the comments were not made with malice but were meant to highlight the absurdity of how these incidents are litigated.
The case is now being investigated by the city’s Office of Police Accountability, and it has been designated as classified. Auderer reported himself to the accountability office after realizing that his comments had been recorded. He was concerned about the potential harm to community trust in the Seattle Police Department due to the publicity surrounding his remarks.
The Seattle Police Department issued a written statement, acknowledging the existence of the video and stating that it was identified by an employee who appropriately escalated their concerns. The matter was then referred to the Office of Police Accountability by Chief Adrian Diaz.
The controversy over Auderer’s remarks comes at a critical time for the Seattle Police Department. A federal judge recently ended most federal oversight of the department, which was implemented in 2012 to address concerns about the use of force and community trust. The Community Police Commission, another police oversight organization, called Auderer’s comments “heartbreaking and shockingly insensitive,” and emphasized that the police department should be fostering trust with the community.
Meanwhile, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is conducting a criminal review of the crash. Kandula, who was on track to graduate in December with a master’s degree, had her body sent to her mother in India after her tragic death. Her uncle, Ashok Mandula, expressed his disappointment in the union leaders’ remarks, asking whether their own daughters or granddaughters have value. He emphasized that a life is a life, regardless of who it belongs to.
As the investigation unfolds, the Seattle Police Department will have to address the fallout from this incident and work towards rebuilding trust with the community they serve.