Of all the stories that actually make headlines, this on is the biggest joke. You have truly MADE headlines. You have named it "e-gate". This would be a story if men were sending crude e-mails to people who felt harrased. Yes, we all know this is something people shouldn't do on work e-mail, but I could care less about this story and do not see how this affects me as a citizen. I bet you could dig up a story of these same men saying bad words on the job, GASP! KING 5 is better than this story.

WHO? What reporter got banned for shoplifting? I never heard that one! Come to think of it, I don't remember ever hearing of bad deeds by local reporters. Why is that? No one ever hears of any discipline for the newsies. So nobody that works for the local networks has ever been arrested for DWI or something? There's gotta be dirt somewhere. Tuth be told, I'd LOVE to see an investigation into the inner workings of King 5. But wait, the public isn't entitled to information requests on KING employee files, are they? Nobody's ever been fired? Nobody's ever been suspended? No hanky panky in the boardroom? No torrid scandals ever hit the airwaves about KING or any other station? And they never discuss retractions either because they always get the story right. Right?

"Let(s)he who is without sin, cast the first stone."

Wouldn't it be fun to send a mass emailing to the staff at KING 5 filled with "inappropriate material." Then see who gets investigated for receiving, sending or saving it on company computers on company time.

Hypocrites. What would YOU do? Cover it up or come clean on your own show on your own accord? Or would it take a public outcry before action would be taken?

Lets take a vote from the public. I'm thinking it would be covered up. Anybody else got some thoughts on that?

And your news article about the "High Maintenence Bitch" was offensive. It's derogatory to women and to canines. The offensive word didn't belong in my home, or on my computer. Thank God I didn't see or hear that offensive material in my work place. It would be a violation of "policy" and my coworkers would have an obligation to turn me in for reviewing such filth and creating a hostile work environment. Further, I could expect a letter of reprimand if I sent your news story on to another person and a suspension or termination if they, or anyone else that happened to view it, were offended.

Call Seabold! I'm sure they can dig something up that your station did outside of the scope of some policy somewhere. I'd sure love to know who the klepto is in YOUR workplace!

In the words from my generation and Don Henley:

Dirty Laundry
I make my living off the evening news
Just give me something-something I can use
People love it when you lose,
They love dirty laundry

Well, I coulda been an actor, but I wound up here
I just have to look good, I dont have to be clear
Come and whisper in my ear
Give us dirty laundry

Kick em when theyre up
Kick em when theyre down
Kick em when theyre up
Kick em when theyre down
Kick em when theyre up
Kick em when theyre down
Kick em when theyre up
Kick em all around

We got the bubble-headed-bleach-blonde who
Comes on at five
She can tell you bout the plane crash with a gleam
In her eye
Its interesting when people die-
Give us dirty laundry

Can we film the operation?
Is the head dead yet?
You know, the boys in the newsroom got a
Running bet
Get the widow on the set!
We need dirty laundry

You dont really need to find out whats going on
You dont really want to know just how far its gone
Just leave well enough alone
Eat your dirty laundry

Kick em when theyre up
Kick em when theyre down
Kick em when theyre up
Kick em when theyre down

Kick em when theyre up
Kick em when theyre down
Kick em when theyre stiff
Kick em all around

Dirty little secrets
Dirty little lies
We got our dirty little fingers in everybodys pie
We love to cut you down to size
We love dirty laundry

We can do the innuendo
We can dance and sing
When its said and done we havent told you a thing
We all know that cr@$ is king
Give us dirty laundry!

(Yeah I had to edit the dirty word in there to keep from "offending" anyone except Don Henley. So sorry, Don)

I find the behavior at the Port despicable, the cover up despicable, the attitude of the "everyone does it" despicable.... and mostly the investigate by the King5 news staff...Admirable.

Those "public" officials and police work for us. Would you have them sending emails like that to your children or family? I dont think so.

Its time that the attitude that the good ol boys club can do no wrong needs to change.

Then need to be accountable just like EVERYONE else. If they sent emails like this at the Company I work for.. they would be on the street in a minute. Then SHOULD be held to a higher standard and they are not..

Can we for once stop criticizing police officers! I am so sick and tired of the people who are there to protect us being slandered in the media. So what, they sent emails that to some sensitive people are offensive. Then don't look at them. The world of law enforcement is not a normal world. They don't go to a cushy corner office and deal with what the world calls, normal people. Their office is the sick city streets of the great US of A. And trust me they are sick. If you think an email of two women performing sex acts in poo is disgusting, try being an officer that responds to a child that has just been abused by an adult, or a woman who has been brutally raped and murdered. I think that is alot worse to the human psych than seeing two women having sex. Lighten up on them, don't ruin an officers career by doing stories like this. Walk a mile in their shoes before you make decisions to run stories like this. We need good officers out there to protect us from the real sickos in this world.

43 officers sent or received emails! THAT'S NEARLY HALF THE FORCE!

Oh yeah, 13 passed them on.

So if I send a pornographic email to all_employees@king5.com , then you should report that every single employee at King 5 either sent or received crude or disgusting email.

Could you be more irresponsible please? Isn't there an editor that should be keeping Susannah from making King 5 look like the National Enquirer?

Being an employee of the Port Of Seattle Police Dept., I can attest to the fact that it's not just the email, but a culture. Officers and dispatchers are hired based on how they fit in to this culture. This includes female employees. There are several that have gotten breast implants, and made sure everyone knew it. It is strange. They are not proud of their accomplishments as police officers, but their breast size. It's like watching a bunch of Police Girl Barbie doll wanna-be's. One female officer, after having breast implants as well as having her lips enlarged, is having an affair with her sergeant (both were married to other people when it started). Everyone knows it, including the command staff. Another sergeant used to take a dispatcher-in-training on ride alongs. They always brought a blanket because they'd have sex. Both bragged openly about it and, again, both were married to other people when it started. She, of course, got her dispatch job. The thing about working for the Port is, if you don't subscribe to this sleaze, or, at the very least, look the other way, you won't make it through your probation, pure and simple. They can, and they will set it up to make sure you look like an idiot. Oh well, whether your buying buying breast implants, having sex with your sergeant, or watching two women poop on each other, I guess it's just another shining example of your tax dollars hard at work. If you don't care, why should they?

1st off I am an employee of the Port and am very proud of my breast implants. For this to even come up on this issue ( which the horse is dead quit beating it!) is absolutely ridiculous! Maybe one of the females gave you a ticket before Jason?Maybe you should look at the female officer's stats before you start judging them on their attractive appearance.

Why is this such a big deal 9 months later? GET OVER IT!! And Susannah, You need some training if this is all you can continue with.

Do you public citizens forget we are all human and make mistakes like you? Are you all so innocent or have you just not gotten caught?

And you John Schorsh badgers, John is legally blind and thank god cannot read this ridiculous crap! He is an absolute wonderful man who happened to have come across some crazy women.

I want to thank all of you rational supporters And those of you who have to bring the race card into this, shame on you! This is not about race, in fact some of the accused are not white!

Find a newsworthy story for god's sake! This is old!

Sorry Jason, the comment was meant for the insecure Marci S who has way to much time on her hands.... did she type her comment from work?????? one must ask!

For any of you who missed the beginning of this blog this morning (2-23-07), there was a comment directly below the one from Brian (at top) that talked about a prominent female Seattle newscaster who was banned from all Nordstrom's because of her repeated shoplifting.

Isn't it interesting that while Susannah and King 5 are more than willing to make and allow disparaging comments about the police, but move with light speed to protect one of their own by removing that comment?

Makes one wonder what other nefarious activities King 5 staffers (and others in the Seattle media) have been up to ...

I smell a Pulitzer here for someone - but I doubt that any one in the local media has the intestinal fortitude to look so closely at their fellow journalists.

And I also wonder how long it will be before this blog comment is mysteriously MIA. My bet is that this will also be removed - with light speed.

I want to respect our police officers. The fact that the Port is making light of this disgusting
situation causes me great concern. I believe it will be difficult for the public to show these officers any respect.

Saint Hugh, You want to respect police officers? Then support them! Walk a day/ or graveyard shift in their shoes. This whole ordeal should have ended before it started. The only thing these men did was to view the pictures on the Port computers. I cannot believe that people are so ignorant to think that these are the only men who have done this? GIVE THEM A BREAK! They have all earned their positions and have never been handed a promotion as the public seems to think has happened here. All of you who continue to judge the Port Police need to take a closer look at yourselves. Like I have stated before WE ARE ALL HUMAN AND MAKE MISTAKES, PLUS THIS WAS NOT A CRIMINAL MATTER. Move on!

Right on Kelly!! It is just sick entertainment at Jon's expense. Shame on you King 5. You could at least get your facts straight before trashing Jon. Remember too that he has a family who has had to put up with all this crap!

Susannah-

The thing that really chaps my hide....(oh no, are you going to persecute me for offending cows?)..about your treatment of this email situation is your insinuation that these officers are depraved people who deserve a lifetime of punishment for forwarding outrageous email.

Here are the facts:
1. NONE of the email video/photos contain officers. Go persecute the crazy's that were actually performing all the lude acts.....Oh wait--if you do... an OFFICER would have to arrest them.

2. NONE of the jokes were WRITTEN by officers. Just well known comedians who make millions by being outrageous....Go persecute them....

I bet if you ask any officer, he regrets inapropriately using work email--and won't ever do it again. End of story.

But, you are dragging these poor people through trial by sensational journalism--just for forwarding the outrageous. Their job is dealing with the outrageous every day. It does not make them bad people, nor does it mean that they believe the sentiments or participate in the activities contained in the emails.

It is human nature to ogle at carnage, right? Traffic always backs up near the scene of a traffic wreck, even if no lanes are blocked. Why?
People slow down just in case they can get a glimpse of anything OUTRAGEOUS. It's sad, but true.

These officers are the ones on those scenes dealing with the carnage day in and day out. Give them a break...you might need their help some day.

You need to let this story go. What a small life you must lead to make such a judgemental leap about a person's character just from something outrageous that they forwarded on. As far as I am aware, there is only one true judge of character--and I wonder how He is going to react to your actions with this story.

This is funny! I had to agree to the following rules to post this blog. Too bad your own REPORTERS aren't held to the same standards.

2. Tell the truth. You may not report any material that could be considered libelous, defamatory or false.--Watch for lawsuits based on your last story about "unearned promotions"

3. Do not solicit or advertise. --Was actually embarrased for you when you took the 1/4 page ad out in the times, touting how fabulous you are for exposing this story.

4. Respect the privacy of others. --This is only a story because these computers are public domain. You would find a similar situation in any office anywhere in the world...how about taking King 5's email inventory. How about taking your own.

We can all sit here and write comments about how King 5 does their reporting. About how Susannah gets caught shoplifting and all the other misappropriate things that go on in this world. But until someone steps up and starts opening their mouths, not one thing is going to change. Police, firefighters, and military, professions that are not only hard to do, they are constantly being critizized for their actions. They are there to protect you!! And they are human, they make mistakes. And most learn from them. Yes there are bad apples out there and they have been dealt with. But what these officers did is noy worth losing a career over. I wonder what the world would be like if the media went away? I think alot of the worlds problems could be solved. I mean all the news is about is bad things happening. I don't know about you but I like to look at the good things in life, not focusing on the bad. One final question to Susannah, take away these officers jobs and then go to the POS and tell me how safe you will feel. There is an already shortage of officers in this state. And trust me, I would rather have a seasoned officer who looks at emails protecting me, yhen a rookie fresh out of academy.

To all of you Port of Seattle employees and their apologists, your arguments are as full of excrement as the porn you've been viewing. If you feel you have been slandered by Susannah Frame or King 5, the judicial system has avenues you may wish to pursue. If not, accept responsibility for your actions and stop attempting top blame the messenger. Why should I care about some newscaster who was caught shoplifting at Nordstroms? That's an issue between the newscaster, Nordstrom's, and the criminal justice system. The actions of the port employees while they are on duty does concern me. They work and compensated by myself and every other King Co. taxpayer. If you find it impossible to adhere to the policies and regulations of your employer, perhaps it's time to seek employment in the private sector. And please, don't use the rigotrs of your job as an excuse for your misconduct, that's like the illegal immigrant telling the ICE agent not to hold him responsible for his illegal border crossing because he is doing such a tuff job that no one else wants.

A reminder to the group to follow our comment rules, which are linked above the comment form.

If we're made aware of a comment that breaks the rules, we will delete it. Users who continue to break comment rules will be banned.

We welcome your comments, especially those that question or criticize our coverage. But please do not abuse that freedom by violating the rules.

Thank you for your understanding.

I also am a current Port of Seattle employee and I must say I am shocked at all of the comments coming from my fellow co-workers. I think that this has exploded into something way bigger than it had started out as, in that I mean that we have moved onto issues that have nothing to do with the Police Department emails. In particular, the post from "Marci S." I think that you have made the situation worse and have given people a false impression of what the organization as a whole stands for. If you don't agree with what is going on in your department, say something - to someone other than readers of a King 5 news blog. I also must ask, were you posting this at work, "8:33AM" - if so, you have no room to talk about "your tax dollars hard at work."

What these Police Officers did was wrong and I'm sure they have learned. I am not justifying what they did but at some point we have to forgive and forget and move on. If you aren't willing to do that, call someone other than 911.

First off, I think it should be said that Susannah Frame IS doing her job, which seems to be something the POSPD (or at least part of them) were/are NOT doing.
Second I personally think that officers of the law should be held to an extremely high standard which rules out viewing porn/racist/sexist emails, content or whatever it was. That being said, regardless of what they were viewing, they shouldnt have been using the computers for anything but offcial police work. Yes Im sure that there are employees at King 5 who have used there computers inappropriately, but that doesnt make what the POS officers did any less inappropriate.
Whether or not you agree with me, think about this:
Are people who are behaving in this manner (and there IS overwhelming evidence that they are/where) the kind of people that you would want proctecting you? I could care less whether or not someone is a porn junkie, or likes u-tube, but at work? When you are being paid (by the public none the less) to protect and serve? Come on guys.
Finally I would like to say that regardless of what the Port of Seattle, did or didnt do, if these guys were half the men that a lot of you are giving them credit for, they would have stood up and spoken the truth when given the opportunity, and then Susannah wouldnt have had a story to investigate. So whose fault it that?

To say this issue has run its cycle is an overstatement. What really concerns me is that someone inside the department continues to try and stoke the fire. For instance whoever lists themselves as "Jason" above is clearly trying to represnet himself as me, you can tell by my post name who I actually am, please be man or wome enough to let us know who you actually are.

The media is making the dull sensational as the media does and unfortunately some poeple fall into the trap, they also read the enquirer for updates on Elvis or space aliens. The simple fact is the media deals in partial truths and deception to hook the simple minded in to being shocked. There is a reason they won't show the photos or movie clips and that is because if the public saw the same things the departments investigators saw then this would be a non story. Ofcourse a few and I mean very few of the emails were outrageous and deserved the attention. What they don't mention is that the majority of their "third" received and deleted well we can all agree you can't control what you receive so those people really didn't do anything wrong.

I am finally writing on this issue because the most recent neglegence by the media actually puts my Friend's life at risk. To put photos up of an individual and to say he works undercover for the DEA, well obviously you can see the safety issue. What was the horrible email that officer is accused of sending, well it was a clip from the Dave Shapel show, something dear susanah fails to mention. So she and King 5 are willing to put a persons life in jeopardy just to make a story out of nothing and those who are being criticized are willing to risk their life every day to save you. What is more disgusting, these emails, or the anti cop, anti truth, propoganda machine known as King 5? Remeber these same Officers are the ones who worked 75 hour weeks when the Nation felt it was in jeopardy after 9-11, the same ones who are willing not to go home to their family at night if it means keeping you safe.

Why haven't any other News organizations picked up on this? Because it is not news it is Slander. You may think that Kng 5 has rights to the story but think of every real news story out there don't all media outlets and stations report it?

I think King 5 is approaching an area where they may find themselves liable especially if anything happens to our officers. If someone in our department is continuing to blow on the fire and support the media by false posts and statements they know are untrue, they should realized that if they are in such a bad situation that they have to lie to make their lives more interesting well maybe they should find a new job. The fact is the Officers at the Port are some of the finest anywhere and an error in judgement by a very few officers should not be used to tarnish those who risk their lives every day.

For the outraged public please search for the truth and don't be misguided by media outlet who is choosing to misuse its "voice."

Whew!! I read this entire blog & it was almost as
good as a NASCAR race. Lots of trading paint & a
few hitting the wall, yeah, it got pretty
exciting there for awhile, & I must admit I had
some pretty good laughs & things got "purtin' near
out of control". But unlike the track, there are
no winners here. I am semi-retired, & in the
military I had the privilege & I mean "Privilege"
of being a Firefighter then moving on to the Military Police. It was an Honor to serve, as you
all know in the Depts. there are the elements of
Ethics, Integrity, Character & paramount would
be Honesty. If I expanded my thoughts of the "media" this comment would be (as to quote a
previous writer) MIA.
All in all, I want to take this time to thank
every one of you all for your time in service.
God Bless You All. And again, "Thank You All" for
being there. Dawg.

KING 5!!!

WHY HAVEN'T YOU REPORTED ON BANK OF AMERICA GIVING CREDIT CARDS TO ILLEGAL ALIENS!!!

WHY DIDN'T YOU REPORT THAT THE MEXICAN WHO TRIED TO KIDNAP A 13 YO FLORIDA BOY WAS AN ILLEGAL ALIEN!!

KING 5 YOU SUCK!!!

NBC NIGHTLY NEWS DOESN'T REPORT ABOUT THE ON THE RUN ILLEGAL MEXICAN WHO TRIED TO KIDNAP A 13 YEAR OLD FLORIDA BOY AND KING 5 DOESN'T REPORT THE SUSPECT BEING AN ILLEGAL ALIEN.

THE LIBERAL NEWS MEDIA SUCKS! STOP HIDING THE FACTS!

Hey Anon were you aware this happened about 8-10 months ago. The investigation into all the officers conduct had been COMPLETED and the discipline dished out. I'm sure they all admitted their guilt since their emails were copied and presented to them. So does that make them "full Men" now in your eyes??

Susannah Frame only picked up on the information because there is a whiney disgruntled employee that apparently didn't like the outcome of the investigation. So don't give her the Pulitzer just yet because she really didn't do investigative reporting. She let the "suits" do the real investigation. Boy what a way to launder you dirty undereware in public. Imagine Boeing, Microsoft, Paccar, Nordstrom and all the rest of public employers coming up with a new internal policy that requiers them to notify the news media everytime an employee commits a murder, burglary, theft, rape and so on...imaging when they don't notify the media of a minor infraction like a supervisor getting a speeding ticket...god forbid it might be one of the CEO's of those organizations. Now THERE is some need of investigating reporting because it sells sleazy newspapers and makes for 5 PM news reporting.

And hey Cory Bergman......who took the post down of the King 5 Reporter and the Nordstrom fiasco. Is that a wee bit embarrassing. Maybe we should have an investigation by the Seabolt outfit and have them post their findings on Channel 4,7,11, and 13 and the two Village papers.

Although I question the timing of this story, because I know of port employees who have contacted King 5 about high levels of racism throughout that organization, I have to admit that I am grateful someone (Susannah Frame) finally had the courage to address one of many quandaries the port has managed to wriggle out of.

What has troubled me most about the port is their ability to continuously wriggle out of situations like ‘escandal’ and thousands more like this. When you can imagine the odds of having this particular story break, compared to the thousand of others, this is a feat in and of itself.

Those who left derogatory comments against King 5 and supporting the port fail to understand how the port’s actions affect them personally. These are your taxes being used to wine and dine those who have the ability expose the cruel and unfit actions of that organization. These are your taxes, which pay to settle the many lawsuits before they reach the courts. These are your taxes, which are used to constantly cover up avoidable incidents and accidents made by untrained and inept employees.

If other media sources in the city continue to probe deeper into what to port is doing, or not doing, then Susannah Frame’s breaking story could be the basis for saving the citizens of Seattle millions of tax dollars.

Susannah Frame please read your rules for blogs that is posted on this web site. They include 'Tell the Truth' and 'Respect the privacy of others'. The 'truth' what a concept. You failed on both accounts. Why didn't you check your sources of information. But if you did check your sources I quess there wouldn't have been a story to report. You've lost alot of respect and viewers because of your lack of credibility and responsibilty to provide accurate reporting of factual information. The public can not assume King 5 is reporting the truth about anything. Shame on you.

hey frenchie:

Actually the point behind the investigation is that the problem was not actually remedied, and PUNISHMENTS were not exactly handed out. Also. give me one example of an officer who has "come clean". One HUGE difference between the POS and the other companies you menrioned as well as King 5: they are all PRIVATE for profit companies, and the POS is a publically funded GOVERNMENT entity. That means that your tax dollars were paying these people to indulge their fancy for porn. Before you post, get your facts straight!

I find it very interesting that posts on this blog keep becoming MIA while they have no problem posting an officer's picture and parts of his internal investigation file which is very slanted at best. I quess they aren't interested in the whole truth just their version of it. I feel like I am reading the National Inquirer. Shame on you King 5 and Seattle PI!

I find it very interesting that posts on this blog keep becoming MIA while they have no problem posting an officer's picture and parts of his internal investigation file which is very slanted at best. I quess they aren't interested in the whole truth just their version of it. I feel like I am reading the National Inquirer. Shame on you King 5 and Seattle PI!

I find it very interesting that posts on this blog keep becoming MIA while they have no problem posting an officer's picture and parts of his internal investigation file which is very slanted at best. I quess they aren't interested in the whole truth just their version of it. I feel like I am reading the National Inquirer. Shame on you King 5 and Seattle PI!

As a former member of the POSPD, KCSO and now retired from law enforcement completely, this is really a stupid waste of energy over some really stupid activities that i'm sure in hindsight the officers could not regret more. Hey what seemed like a joke between co-workers obviously came back and bit them in the a**. That said, I have been lucky. I escaped the world of law enforcement to enter the private sector and make incredible money, not have reporters and the public watching and waiting for me to make a stupid mistake, then pounce on that mistake and make it the King 5 top story. I can send whatever emails I want! Yup, and there are more like me. Officers that got sick of the crappy pay, long hours on the nightshift, out in the weather playing marraige councelors while their spouse\partner was at home in bed alone wondering if thier loved one would come home... Was the punishment for this enough?? the Chief's choice was his to make. Maybe he realized that humans do stupid things... maybe after 35 years in law enforcement he knows that it was just a stupid mistake. I don't miss Law enforcement one bit after 20 years of serving the public I learned one thing loud and clear. The only time you like the police is when you need them... So maybe, just maybe we can look at this for what is was, a really stupid mistake and something they regret and are embarrassed about. As for the "source" I bet she was passed over for promotion or a special assignment or dumped by her lover and misery loves company... Suzannah, good job you got lots of attention on this story, lets remember folks she is paid to get ratings and she did a he** of a job...

It's quite wondersome. These port police officers are being persecuted for looking at sexual themed emails while gays and lesbians are parading up and down our streets and forcing our legislature (wasting their time) to review laws to pertain to their ways of life. How absurd. A military officer recieves a mistrial and sets a sour seed in the minds of our troops. This country is running afoul while people worry about all the crap instead of what really needs to be the issues.
Don Henley is right.

Annie B.

..and Alice falls deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole.
Unveiling the Ports’ undoings is just a sad story about a corrupt culture of ‘untouchables’ at a taxpayer’s expense...unless your Alice!

What if this story is more than a headline or a news blurp about porn and computer jokes, but rather your unfortunate reality? What if Port of Seattle Police’s lack of accountability and corrupt behavior puts your life in jeopardy? There is a deeper story for the few of us that have had the misfortune of following the White Rabbit.

Lessons from the naive..

Don’t burst the bubble. The effort to maintain a beautiful, time-crafted, public image is costly. Police unfortunately battle an invisible force of obtaining respect to render their authority. They rely heavily on the faith from their community that they will serve and protect. Many of the officers from the Port of Seattle Police Department know a significant part of their job is nothing but Public Relations. Rehearsing directions for passengers to the Pacific Market Place for dinner and escorting the elderly to Baggage Claim are duties rewarded with well-paid salaries and excess of time-and-half. The airport is a lucrative business, supplying lucrative salaries. We have all been exposed to airport taxes, airport parking and two-dollar candy bars. Surrounding police departments covet the abundant overtime and laize-faire job duties that able many POS officers to maintain lifestyles with salaries in the 100K’s! There is no other Police department that I know that is this intricately woven with a private, thriving business. Those that are eager to protect this Port Police’s mirage are grossly invested in it. Recognizing the cost of this commodity is crucial.

Don’t underestimate the “Brotherhood” at the POS. The Port Department is small and intimate. Even the area of jurisdiction, which is primarily the airport, is significantly smaller than surrounding city departments. Port officers are notoriously seen in packs outside of Starbucks taking their breaks together. But only an insider knows the severe fraternity culture that breeds within. I have never witnessed in any other business, the amount of vulgarity and lewdness that is commonplace. What makes this a “culture” is the normalcy of it all, starting at the top and continuing over the years. The workplace has become a college locker-room. I don’t even think that many of these officers will go home to their families and say the things they say at work. Even roll-call is not immune to the demeaning homosexual and racist jokes. They have games of watching women walking down the airport if her breast are real or fake. The boldness to announce what sexual acts you did on your shift are the nightly gossip. The inter-department affairs are seedingly rampant. Porn and racist jokes are just the surface. To question this “norm”, makes you the abnormal (see every angry blog above).

You are NEVER a victim in police-related crime. You are a threat. Your need for help or protection becomes relative to the amount of damage you bring to the profession of policing and their infallible image. No amount of evidence, rulings or record of repeated offenses will validate your charges. You are an instant cop-hater. Stand up. Stop crying. Be afraid somewhere else. You want protection, move away. Call an advocate. Be quiet.

When your reality spins and your life becomes unreal from a crime, you don’t care about dirty laundry, you want a Police department that is going to help and do their job. I have become mere collateral damage from a fraternity of “brothers” trying to protect their image and their comfortable culture called the Port of Seattle.

Alice

I have been watching this saga unfold for several weeks. All the finger pointing, and the so and so's, the investigative reporting that was via a simple phone call from an unhappy employee. Was the E-mail process in the first place wrong, yep. Is it a culture, probably. Does anybody like the Port machine, no. Are they supported by tax dollars, in a way. Yada, Yada, Yada!

My solution: Fix the problem, pay your dues for what you did, AND MOVE ON TO SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT FOLKS.

I'd like to give a little insight into the investigative news process at KING Television. The KING 5 Investigators do not put investigative stories on television after a simple call from a source. Any and all sources are thoroughly investigated for their legitimacy. More importantly, the core of every one of our stories lies in documentation. More than 2,000 pages of documentation have been provided to us through the state's Public Records Act. Documents are read and analyzed and only then are used to draw conclusions. Accuracy is our first priority. While they may not like the content, to date, we have not received even one complaint from Port of Seattle leaders about the accuracy of our reporting.

To clarify, more than 2,000 pages of documentation have been provided to us through the state's Public Records Act for the recent stories on the Port of Seattle Police
Department.

Fire them all so their lives can be completely screwed up, then hire new officers and teach them all the ways to be perfect in the eyes of the public. (Not possible, by the way)Sounds like the answer to me. After all, that is what you are all saying in your undertones. Get real!

Hippocrites

OOps. Hypocrites!!!

Susannah, presenting the cold hard facts about the issues (documentation) is only part of the story. It's not the quantity of the documents, it's the quality too. The managers haven't complained because they are too busy covering their backsides and you can't be crucified in the media for what you DON'T say. There's a deeper story, one that deals with a disconnect between command and the troops. A great deal of do as I say and not as I do. Mixed messages, disparate treatment where some are rewarded and others are crucified. Core safety issues for the officers and the public at large have gone un heard and many of the officers that have spent years risking their lives in riots, assaults, child luring and drug cases- people who continually make efforts to live up to serving the community, get punished for doing their jobs.

Take a good look at the sheer numbers of investigations into the officers that took place in 2006 and compare it to the last 10 years.

Take a look at the people who led those investigatons and their selectivity of who to make examples of.

In the last 10 years has an officer ever been disciplined for doing nothing? Litterally "nothing?" No. Only the officers that have faithfully done their duties tended to be investigated. Why, because someone called to complain. The Port take each complaint so seriously that it goes all the way up to the top and is immediately filed for an internal investigation.

Then they spread the investigation out over double or even triple the time mandated in the contract, leaving the officer to work in such a hostile work environment that there exists a zero defect mentality. Every officer is aware that if the spotlight falls on them they can expect the pleasure of being yelled at by command, interogated, called a liar, told that barring any independant witnesses the department should always side with the complainant and not the officer.

The level of mistruct between command andthe officers rises to a level of dysfunction that is so complete that the officers fear doing anything at all. The term: No contact, no complaint is something they say all the time. Elelments of their command staff have even told them directly to put the blinders on.

Command in the last 2 years has done more to de-police the department than any single act.

A power struggle exists between those that want to serve the community with the best they have to offer and those efforts are stymied by an unclear, policy heavy, initiative resistant culture of fear.

This fear has developed a minimalist mindset of "big case- big problem, little case- little problem, no case- no problem."

Since you don't get into trouble doing nothing, people hide in small groups and gossip. They do the very minimum. What do they say about idle hands? Well, in this case they have adopted a fire department mentality of call me and I'll go. Otherwise I'll keep my head down and off the radar. Why? Because they know they don't get any support in their efforts from above.

And in their hiding, they get on the computer and look at the news, sport, stocks, email etc.

A few of them went and made a few no no's. It IS a big deal because they ARE held to a higher standard. Higher than what? How many "sex" stories does King 5 air in a week. Check the ads on the website here for Victoria Secret! Technically it's offensive in the EEOC world.

But to the cops, it's pretty tame. Why? Because they see people every day doing something regarding bodily fluids. They hear the worst street language and are treated in ways that YOU would never put with. They get paid too much? Would you feel you got paid ENOUGH if you get run into by a drugged out felon in a stolen car?

Not paid for what they do every second, they're paid for what the might have to do, ANY second! Is it normal to run toward the sounds of gunfire? How much pay would it take for you to deal with that? Whatever it is, DOUBLE, wouldn't be worth it. How about a riot? Child homicide? How about cutting a violator slack, only to find a complaint on your desk the next day for discrimination, defamation or just being "rude."
I hear all the officers talk about this stuff al the time and it doesn't matter what race or sex they are. It's because they wear blue.

Is a racy email or email joke so bad in the office? Probably. You run the risk of offending your coworkers. Some of your office mates out there may even complain because it so deeply offends them. It usually takes a lot to offend your average police officer. The one's I've had the pleasure of knowing have the thick skin of a tank. I've seen them put up with threats, insults and getting spit in the face because they just issue a parking ticket. The offender will use every slur in the book and a few that aren't.

THAT guy ends up making the complaint against an officer for being "rude."

That officer runs the risk of not being eligible for any of the little bit of gravy that comes around because he has a hard time competing against another officer without a complaint.

There definately IS a culture at the POS and it's made the department impotent. I read somewhere that none of the officers in trouble have ever even been in trouble before, for decades!

To call for terminations is short sighted and impractical. The culture needs to change to a more cooperative one and not a divisive one.

Command needs to foster a positive working environment and get to understand what the troops face. Maybe teach them what they deal with to the troops too. Create some mutual understanding. Clearly show what is expected and return to a merit based culture by rewarding performers and not people who hide.

Discipline must be maintained of course, but it shouldn't be excessive. Remember, nothing these people did was criminal. Poor taste, maybe, but to fire them for it would ultimately do a great disservice to everyone. It takes a lot to find qualified applicants and even more to turn them into good officers.

I used to want to work for that department but don't like the political climate. Who wants to work at a place where you fear what your command staff will do to you more than what you should do when you face a drunk, angry guy with a gun?

So (speaking for myself as a future LEO) I'd like to find a place that supports the cops as cops and not like security guards. There's a lot of good people there and this scandal has only served to drive a wedge between the community, the Port, and the police. I've worked at the airport for 2 years now at the checkpoints and I have seen them do some great work handling really crazy people and crazy situations. I wish the rest of you all could experience the same thing and not base your judgement on a lop sided piece of reporting.

For most of the people involved, they took their lumps and faced the fear of losing their livlihoods. They were given another chance but will wear the stigma forever.

If it were YOU, what would you want to happen? Have you ever screwed up at work? Have you been given a second chance, or a third?

Even the pope insulted a certain ethnic class. Adultery can happen in the White House, it can happen in yours. Even Tiger Woods can miss a shot. Even the police screw up too. But bear in mind that the screw up was through email and not through criminal conduct. Nobody's civil rights were violated. None of the recipients were offended until a third party reviewed what was sent.

Wouldn't it be a great story to look in on the POS cops a year from now and see what progress has been made? I'm optimistic that this will work itself out.

Exactly, like I said. An unhappy employee drops a dime on the news media, you use the Public Records Act to have the information sent to you. Then all you do is sit at a comfortable, latte cup covered conference table in the middle of a room reading what was HANDED to you. That is not investigating that is sorting out information. Then you make your conclusions and report what you think is right or wrong.

So why should the Port respond to you about the accuracies of the reports. It happened, you have the paperwork to support that, it was given to you.......

Breaking News, Port Police does not like the ACCURACY of the paperwork that they collected and gave to the news media.

It happened, it was wrong, they don't like it, nor do I, or do you. Let them figure out how to fall on their sword, and get back on their feet. I am sure you will know when they do because you have rights and the Public Records Act, you will be HANDED the paperwork.....

Please stop complaining of how rough it is to be a cop, how little pay you receive and that no one can do your job. Its pathetic! You signed up to carry a gun, to deal with drug dealers and homocide. The reality is that there are others that can do your job AND learn new tricks. I would rather see new officers out on the line, not making excuses of their command staff, strickening policies and idle time.
What is your response to those that have been FIRED from their jobs for viewing porn at work? There is a zero tolerance for teachers. Can you imagine your son/daughter's teacher was caught at school looking at porn, laughing at racist jokes? NO WAY! As the parent you don't want to know RACIST PERVERTS are "teaching" your kids! One would never know if you kept your "ugly habits" at home. But to not have the control to view porn at work? there might be a problem. By the way, those teachers were SUSPENDED or FIRED! But I guess society didn't account for their admirable service of being educators for shamelessly no money, or the uphill climb of parental respect and politics involved.
What about those that have been FIRED/SUSPENDED for smaller computer infractions at Boeing? Imagine sending and receiving racist jokes and "egregious" sex acts on your computer in your cubicle at work? NO WAY! Their computer time is monitored and recorded as well. You cant' even have a screen- saver that is risque. Employees have to warn friends and family not to send anything on their company email for they are held accountable to whatever they receive as well.
If cops are suppose to be held to a higher standard, why then did they just get written reprimands that didn't even seem to make it to their permanent personnal files?

Lastly, there are those that have had their civil rights violated. If I recall, it is a CRIME to stalk a person AND a FELONY to threaten the life of another officer. Please be accurate in your reporting!!!!!

Alice…you make me proud!

You see, that excuse made about police not being paid enough is part of the culture and habit of the ‘good ol boys’. We all know that the Port police get paid more than any other police organization in the State.

If a Port police officer complains about the amount of money he or she makes, it’s because they are comparing themselves to the many incompetent and inept managers from other departments in that DISORGANIZATION.

For example: an ex flight attendant runs the Operations department. Personally, I would equate this as having an ex cocaine abuser as the Commander in Chief. This department manager has never seen the inner-workings of an airfield environment. They have never witnessed a construction project as it unfolds and the safety precautions necessary to avoid a possible catastrophe on the airfield. Before getting the job, their only view of the airfield was through the small window of an Airbus 320, while pushing the serving cart down the isle. Then after getting the job, they had a plush office looking onto the airfield. No other airfield experience required to run such a complicated, and multifaceted department, yet he makes more money and receive more benefits (Port vehicle, etc.) than the officers who risk fifty times more than this person.

Now, several things need to happen to address these issues directly and the Port commissioners are not looking for solutions, they are looking for scapegoats. This is why the skeletons from the Unionized police department are unveiled.

(1) Portwatch needs to be reinstituted. Right, Paige?
(2) The EEOC needs to help this disorganization revamp their plagiarized EEO polices.
(3) Every manager in their disorganization should be reevaluated for their position. Which means, reference checks, educational background, work experience, and these checks are not to include whom your mother or father is and which department they work in at the port.
(4) Safety, Safety, Safety should be addressed immediately; from the position of the new Air Traffic Control Tower to the Third Runway, before lives are lost.
(5) Accountability from the Commissioners, some of which have overstayed their welcome, to accountability from those managers who are bilking the Port for thousands, even millions of our tax dollars.
I can go on and on, but I will remain pessimistic about this disorganization. They (Commissioners and upper managers) will continue to take a dither approach to resolving these problems until something happens or until they need another scapegoat.

A Police Officer is a composite of what all people are, mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity. Gulled statistics wave the fan over the stinkers, underscore instances of dishonesty and brutality because they are "news".

What they really mean is that they are exceptional , unusual, not commonplace. Buried under the frost is the fact: Less than one-half of one percent of police officer misfit the uniform. That's a better average than you'd find among clergy!

What is a police officer made of? They, of all people, are at once the most needed and the most unwanted. They are strangely nameless creatures who is "sir" (or Ma'am) to the face and "fuzz" or "pig" to their back. They must be such diplomats that they can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he won.

But... If the police officer is neat, he's conceited; if he's careless, he's a bum. If he's pleasant, he's flirting; if not, he's a grouch.

He must make an instant decision which would require months for a lawyer to make.
But...If he hurries, he's careless; if he's deliberate, he's lazy. He must be first to an accident and infallible with his diagnosis. He must be able to start breathing, stop bleeding, tie splints and, above all, be sure the victim goes home without a limp or expect to be sued.

The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, and hit where it doesn't hurt. He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being "brutal". If you hit him, he's a coward. If he hits you, he's a bully.

A police officer must know everything-and not tell. He must know where all the sin is and not partake. A police officer must, from a single strand of hair, be able to describe the crime, the weapon and the criminal- and tell you where the criminal is hiding. But...if they catch the criminal, they're just lucky; if they don't, they're inept. If he gets promoted, he has political pull; if he doesn't, he's a dullard.

The police officer must chase a bum lead to a dead-end, stake out ten nights to tag one witness who saw it happen-but refused to remember. The police officer must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy and a gentleman.

And, of course, they have to be geniuses....
For they have to feed a family on a police officer's salary.

Cops under a black light...a stain.

“A Police Officer is a composite of what all people are,” I think not! A police officer is a representation of the individually single-minded is.

Your current frequencies of understanding outweigh that which has been given for you to understand.
The current standard is the equivalent of an adolescent restricted to the diet of an infant whose rapidly changing body would acquire dysfunctional and deformed symptoms and could not properly mature on a diet of applesauce and crushed pears.

You fail to identify with, resembling the Port officers, the responsibilities of extraordinary caliber required to be an officer. Social confidence and discipline will prevail when society can witness an attempt to maintain this extraordinary caliber. We do not witness this in the wild fluctuations of how the Port doles out punishment. The Port fails to understand, because of their attempt to maintain the ‘ol boys network; the conditions they preserve are taking their disorganization on a slow march towards chaos.

For the reason that, when societies feel they are being cheated and betrayed, respect for society tends to deteriorate very rapidly.

Listen jb, we’re not talking about the social order of the KKK here. We’re talking about an organization that is supposed to be reflective of our community. And, in case you didn’t know, this is a highly educated, progressive, opened minded community who refuse to be bullied by a group of racist, perverted, tax bilking thieves.

The Port touts itself as the ‘backbone’ of our community. Those within this disorganization realize our transportation needs will, in most part, come through them. This realization has created an arrogance that parallels one of a jackal, which marks their territory with urine and feces.

The Port of Seattle is not an autonomous organization; it belongs to the people. Thus, as a member of this upstanding community, I am demanding our Port’s astounding reputation back! I am demanding the preservation and continuation of sound jobs for the citizens of our community! I am demanding the commissioners unravel the old entanglements to keep pace with the direction the city as a whole is going! I am demanding an end to the close-minded Airport director’s attempt to eliminate people of color from their disorganization so that the airport employees are a direct reflection of our community! I am demanding a restoration of credibility with organizations worldwide so that our divine community can maintain its aura as “Gateway to the rest of the World.”

Any utterance will be un-aimed; will be disclaimed!

Chase, you and your list of demands can sit and spin. You hurl a whole lot of accusations without substance. You've got a presumtuous sense of entitlement. Tell ya what... why don't you pick up an application and see if you pack the gear to be a Port Officer. You think you can do the job better? I dare you to try.

"Irritated", have you ever thought you might be “irritated” because your wet diaper?

How do you think a female passenger feels, while riding the escalators at the airport, when she catches a Port officer trying to look up her skirt...”irritated”?

How do think most passengers feel while walking from one terminal to the next and a Port officer passes them on his $6,000.00 mountain bike, demanding they get out of his way…”irritated”?

My guess is, or if I were a betting person, I’d bet you are one of the pitiless grey haired commissioners. Or, perhaps you are one of the Port’s own simple senior managers. Maybe, you are ‘ol Dic himself. One thing is for sure; you are certainly not one of the Port’s well-trained police officers, to allow comments in a public forum as this to “irritate” you.

“Irritated” you fail to understand, due to your own shortcomings, that the Port of Seattle is mentally infantile from the top down, which is why Seabold was hired (with our tax dollars) to clean their arse after they soiled themselves.

Well Chase, how about I send you a buck-25 so you can have your tax money back? Then you could be even for your tax loss.

You're a pretty tough cookie when it comes to venting on a blog site but rather than pointing your crooked finger of accusation from the safety of your computer, how about you lift a finger instead? The challenge is thrown down again, pick up an application and be a solution to the problem. I doubt you'd pass the entrance exams but hey, stranger things have happened.

There's a LOT of great people being dragged through the mud right now and you sure seem to delight in it and contrary to what you think in your myopic point of view, they care very greatly about what they do in spite of the lack of support they get for doing it.

Ever thought that maybe that bike officer was telling folks to get out of the way because they had to get to a heart attack victim or an assault in progress? How do you think the ticket agent feels when someone decides to use their head as a bongo? Think that person cares how fast those bikes are going? Most of us think those guys could stand to speed it up. Clearly you're talking out of your "arse" coz your mouth doesn't know any better.

I'm "irritated" because of pieces of human cholesterol like you are blocking the passengerial arteries of the Airport.

Switch to decaf, see your doc about upping your meds, and go hug your mom. Maybe that will help you feel better about yourself and not so hostile towards the people that would take a bullet for you, or disarm a bomb for you, or find your lost car for you, or catch child molesters for you, or chase car prowlers for you. In other words, cut them some slack because there are heros in your midst and you may not even know it. I have seen many of the officers put themselves in harms way on many many occasions and do it in a way far gentler than the cops in my hometown. If you took the time to stop and talk to these people you just might find how exceptional they really are.

Maybe they'll find out out you aren't the nut job you seem to be on this blog.

Good luck in any event. You're going to stroke out if you aren't careful.

If I were twenty-one, I might accept your "challenge". However, from the way things look now, when I finish school, I will most likely be your boss. It appears the Port needs some well-educated people to help straighten out their defunct disorganization.

Another thing "irritated" why aren't you doing your job and placing cuffs on those crooks who are stealing our taxes? Arrest those people who are trying to get rid of the Teamsters Union. Arrest those people who have something to gain once the police service at the Port is outsourced. Arrest those people who are responsible for Chief Kimsey's forced retirement, because he would not let them steam roll through his department. These are the real crooks!

And, while you're at it "irritated" see if you can manage to slip those cuffs off your brain so that you are able to decipher my comments and know that my beef is not with the Port police, but those way above the police department, those who actually gave the story to King5.

As I mentioned in other comments, you police officers have been doing this email thing, this terminal thing, this sleeping thing, for years. Why did the Commissioners and senior management allow THIS story to become public now? Political?

Why is the closet opened to disclose these skeletons and not the many others buried deep in the many Port storage areas? Political?

Chase, hope that works out for you. But I doubt it since you can't construct a grammatically correct sentence let alone a logical argument. Besides which, unless you work for the federal government, you won't be the boss of me,and I doubt very much, anyone else.

Talk about delusions of grandeur!

You offer accusations but no solutions. Innuendo, biased opinions, and hurtful slanders with callous disregard for the brave people who sacrifice for the welfare of others. Your comments, to the uninitiated, might be taken as gospel which is both inaccurate and unfair. It does a great disservice to everyone considered when you foster this image that you are somehow in the know about what is going on.

By your own admission, "if you were 21" you'd take up the challenge. What does that mean? Are there physical or mental limitations to do the job? What might those entail? Perhaps what someone above wrote about fighting two people twice your size and half your age?

And yes, police officers ARE a composite of all people with all the fears and hopes you find in all of society except the higher standard part and the double standard part. These people run to where the trouble is but "trouble" isn't always happening any more than it's "always" raining. I was told by a couple of the officers recently that they aren't paid for what they do, they're paid for what they might HAVE to do. They bear enormous scrutiny and responsibility and see and do things that put average people like you in therapy.

You make an assumption about what I do and you're off base. (But I take it as a compliment) Stop to consider that maybe I'm speaking for a family member who died in the line of duty and he doesn't have the opportunity to speak out against misguided and delusional jerks like you. But he certainly suffered the slings and arrows from your ilk for his short but fruitful career. So ok, I admit it, my family is a little biased.

I'll tell you from experience that it galls us to hear about how "our tax money" this and that or that officers get paid too much to sit around and drink coffee. I assure you, "Chase", no amount of money in the world will be adequate compensation when confronted with an angry mob of people hurling manhole covers at you in a riot, or when you find pieces of human beings in the wake of a car wreck, or when my brother is attacked and killed by a car full of punks on a "routine" traffic stop. These people, before they step out of the academy have to get hosed with pepper spray, get beaten up by martial arts masters, get zapped by a tazer and get subjected to incredible amounts of information and tests on that information before they ever hit the street. Once they do, they are continuously trained to be ready for the fire, or riot, or shooting, or car wreck. Some people on this blog really seem to think it's a cake walk, so do you apparently, so I keep saying, you think you can do the job better. See if you can make the cut! I'll bet you'd find a better appreciation and deeper understanding if you did.

You say you're addressing the people superior to the officers but you sure did your fair share of cop bashing in the process which shows that you have unfocused rage at those people in positions of authority. People who have authority problems usually do because they lack the power to control much of anything, including their own unfocused rage.

So my solution for your problem, again, is clear. You think you can do the job better, by all means TRY. But I'm willing to bet that you don't pack the gear to get to an oral board, let alone a police academy or a tour in a squad.

So until you walk the walk, quit talking the "talk" like you have something to contribute outside of your pointless diatribes about "arresting" people without probable cause.

Tin-pot tyrants like you are a dime a thousand on the Internet. So have a coke and a smile and kindly shut the phunk up. I'm "irritated" by ignorant whiners like you, Chase. Go back to school and learn something of value like art appreciation. At least you'd come to appreciate SOMETHING.

Gee "iritated",
when the department sends you to mandatory harrassment training, please stay after class for some anger-management consultation. It's obvious to all bloggers it is YOU that has some unfocused rage!

It is comical to the sane-reader that your response to opposition or difference of opinion is to go out back and throw-down. Grow up! If you want our gratitude for all you do... earn it, don't demand it. For being such a "tough-guy" you sure do cry a lot! I bet the rest of your 'brothers' want you to "shut the phunk up", I know I sure do.

Horace, where did you get that I wanted to "throw down?"

I'm not asking for gratitude for me, I'm expressing it for the people who deserve it. But I enjoy explaining it to folks like you and "Chase." You think this tough talk makes me a tough guy? Maybe you should stop playing with your Wii and find out what a tough world exists out there. Do you live in the world or just on it?

You speak for all the bloggers out there now do you? Who made you the blogosphere's collective mouthpiece?

The point I was making, and seems lost to you, is that "Chase" thinks that the job and the people that do it are "...a group of racist, perverted, tax bilking thieves" and they are "jackal(s), which mark their territory with urine and feces."
There's a whole lot of people that disagree with that "Horace" and I was speaking my mind about it. And I'm entitled to it.
YOUR response is to tell me to remain silent about my difference of opinion. You don't get that right, pal.

Some people don't get intimidated as easily as you do I guess. I say that because you took umbrage at comments directed at "Chase", not you. But I can see which camp you pitch your tent in, so welcome to the party.

You got something to say? An opinion to make? Make it. But if you put something out there, be enough of a "tough guy" to expect a counter point.

While I don't like the content of what you or "Chase" has to say, I certainly respect the ability to say it. But as I pointed out earlier, if you're going to rant, come up with some solutions. VIABLE solutions. Saying the inflammatory and degrading things likening friends and family members of mine to jackals should probably fall into that anti-harassment and anger management course you seem so fond of. Where was your voice of dissent then?

Wow! "Good times"

Reminds me of a quote from a great movie.

Col. Nathan Jessup: "Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand at post. Either way, I don't give a d*%$ what you think you are entitled to."

Maybe all three of you should take a breather though? This isn't newsworthy anyway and doesn't deserve the energy your putting into it.

Entertaining tho! ;)

Some very strong opinions in here and if you cut through the noise you can see two main points.
A call for accountability on one side and a request for understanding on the other. I think I can see both sides of the issue. I wonder where all of this is going? Will the port of seattle clean house? What will be fair?

"Clearly this story has struck a nerve in the community."

CLEARLY!

Chase,
Ive been thinking more and more about the blogs that you have written. We have something in common... we have both been down the rabbit hole!
Once you have been down the Port's pit and realize you can't see the bottom, you feel compelled to voice a warning to all before it is too late.

Payoffs and letters of reprimandation are bandaids on flesh wounds awaiting amputation.
You do seem to have a lot of knowlege of the Port's innards. However in this case, the more you know, the more sick you feel. I do agree with you that most likely this exposure is a strategic move at the top of the food chain. Even if this ripple effect is political, I welcome the sanitation crew to clean house. WARNING: stubborn stains may require bleach.

Like others, I too have fallen into danger by the corruptness of the Port. Whether or not justice is served out and accountability established, my life has already been messed with. More will fall victim, unless something is done.

I commend your VIABLE solutions!
Alice

I remember once when I was twelve; my developed mentally disabled cousin attacked me at a family gathering. He whacked me good and I can remember at one point thinking I should fight back and another point wishing someone would come and get him off me. I somehow settled for grabbing both his wrist and shouting STOP!

He started crying and told my aunt that I hurt his wrist. I will never forget how small I felt and how it seemed others would view me as a bully for standing up to a developed mentally disabled person, family member, someone I love.

I tell that story because I am reminded of that time as I took the misguided, unfounded blows from “irritated”. However, the outcome is slightly different this time, it seems a few family members heard the commotion and stepped in. Of which, I am very grateful.

You see “irritated” as I mentioned before “We’re talking about an organization that is supposed to be reflective of our community. And, in case you didn’t know, this is a highly educated, progressive, opened minded community who refuse to be bullied by a group of racist, perverted, tax bilking thieves.”

Portwatch!
Portwatch!
Portwatch!

It's time for an oversight committee, which is comprised of the citizens of Seattle, which represents the people of Seattle and put an end to this misrepresentation of what this community is about and who we are as citizens of this wonderful community.

Surely, it's time for the Port to "clean house".

To irritated, you are not getting it. Regardless of what you say, there are people out there that simply do not like the port, never have never will. I am not saying they are not a target rich environment, grain terminal, renaming the airport, relocating the cruise ship terminal. But members of this community simpy sit at the port door step waiting for something to happen and run to anybody that will listen, you are listening but it ain't clickin. You are just a few, and the people at large out number you so to quiet the cry babies in the community, simpy turn your computer off and focus elsewhere. .

The group is called Port WAtch and that is what they do. Remember they can lie and are not held acoutable, like you.

Newsflash: Seattle Mayor, Greg Nickels, nominates US EEOC Supervisory attorney, Kathryn Olsen to head Seattle Police Office of Professional Accountability. OPA would oversee complaints and incidents against Seattle police officers.

Viable Solution: All future complaints and incidents of Port Police should continue to have an outside group (OPA,Seabold) investigating and determining rightful accountability. A baseline from the community should be used, meaning what community members are held to, officers should AT LEAST be subjected to as well.