Chief Kerlikowske was hired to run the department. He has lots of issues to deal with and he must make decisions that will lead the department employees to do their job. He is not perfect but he reports to Mayor and Council Members for his performance. With crime in downtown Seattle growing exponentially with drug use we should support him and the officers.

We are dealing with Nick Licota's political aspirations more than any disfunctional police department. The amount of politics far exceeds the number of issues the police department has.

I think if the Police Chief work as hard to keep his officers in line, and make them accountable for their actions, as he does evading questions the Seattle Police Force would be a much better Organization. He definitely need to be replace immediately.

I think it's time we let the Police do there job
and ignore the do gooders.The news is very biased
at times and the Police should be given the benifit of the doubt.The Mayor should learn about
Police work before he shoots off his mouth.Robert
Mak does a very good job at what he does..

I think Chief Kerlikowske is doing a fine job. I sure wouldn't want the Mayor to run the police dept! The Chief has to make tough decisions daily and he has been doing a good job. Over seeing the Dept. has seemed to work well. But let him do the day to day job he was hired to do. Thank you Chief Kerlikowske!!

I think Chief Kerlikowske is doing a fine job. I sure wouldn't want the Mayor to run the police dept! The Chief has to make tough decisions daily and he has been doing a good job. Over seeing the Dept. has seemed to work well. But let him do the day to day job he was hired to do. Thank you Chief Kerlikowske!!

I think Chief Kerlikowske is doing a fine job. I sure wouldn't want the Mayor to run the police dept! The Chief has to make tough decisions daily and he has been doing a good job. Over seeing the Dept. has seemed to work well. But let him do the day to day job he was hired to do. Thank you Chief Kerlikowske!!

I think this issue is far beyond what police should be allow to do. there were three police and he called for back up the suspect should have been detained and hand cuffed. seeing that he had nothing to do with it even though he was looking out for his friend they should have calmed him down. instead he was kicked and beaten to his face.if you ask me this had nothing to do with a ciggerette butt. and you should get officer of the year for shooting poeple i hope hes happy

Once again Chief Gil Kerlikowske shows himself to be an intelligent and reasoned person. He has a very difficult job, and the Seattle Police Dept. does have more independent oversight than any other police department in the United States. I am very proud to have Chief Kerlikowske here, and feel that the City Council should allow him to do his job. He certainly has done a more admirable job than they have over the past 7 years.

I think Chief Kerlikowske's responces to the criticisims from a very vocal special interest group, certain politicians and to the questions posed by Robert Mak were reasonable, and appropriate. His is a difficult job and the challenge of leadership of Seattle's finest to motivate officers to continue to do their job to protect and serve the public is a thankless one. Think about it! It is becoming more and more evident that the surest way for an officer to get in trouble is to do his or her job. I think if an officer is smart, avoiding police work and just doing the paperwork is the course to take. The pay is the same and there is no hassle! The crooks and our edgier members of society (and a few lawyers) have already figured this out and are emboldened to challege every police effort to do their job. Do you feel safer now?

As usual Robert Mak did conducted himself professionally in his interview with the Chief of Police. However this whole story smacks of a no-news story initiated by the press and a local politician, both of whom have by their actions shown that they have no use for the people the city has hired to protect (them) and the rest of us. If an individual feels he has been harmed by the actions of the police the proper place for the settlement of such a dispute is through court action where a judge and a jury that has no axe to grind can come to reasonable decision based upon the facts presented and not upon a newspaper story initiated by a reporter and a politician, both of whom, by all appearances are out to undermine an excellent police chief and a very competent police force.

Chief Kerlindowske clearly understands the needs of the people in Seattle as well as the operation demands of his department. A loose cannon on the City Council does not speak well for our city, nor does it represent the hard work or continued efforts of our police department, which I believe has earned our respect and support. Hopefully calm minds and upfront address of all issues can resolve any matters that have unnecessarily tarnished the image of our city offices.

Chief Kerlikowski is a breath of fresh air to the the community. It feels like he is being persecuted for sake of being persecuted. He is doing a good job and unlike his predecessor, working hard at keeping everyone informed and involved. Lets let him do his job. For those of you who think he could do better I ask whether you could do better.

There are many individuals out who bait or abuse officers, then start screaming "brutality" or play the race card to the hilt. Then the "well meaning" special interest groups jump in for their camera time, and want to further inhibit the police from doing their job. Finally, there are plenty of second-guessers and political opportunists ready to exploit a situation when it presents itself.

I think the cheif is doing a fine job too....of evading the questions that are so pertinent to whether he is doing what the people pay him to do. The police motto is "to serve and protect". Most of what was presented and what was in question leaves me wondering WHO is being served and WHAT is being protected.

For all of you who think that the chief is doing a good job and not being evasive, then you’ll reap what you sow. By allowing one facet of society to discriminate against another facet, eventually it’ll come full circle to you. At that point you’ll cry louder than anyone else for your rights as you always do.

If the chief was right, then why was he so evasive? I don’t understand why you refuse to confess the truth, as I’m sure that you can see it.

The only option is an independent and binding civilian review board. In the mean time the chief must document all of his decisions and they must be made public.

Don't treat the police officers and the chief so cruelly! They are God's representatives on this earth, so don't discriminate against them, or spew out biased/ uninformed hate against them.!!! The "rule of justice" is "double-edged". Groups and individuals who often view and discriminate against the entire police force in a negative way, must measure themselves by the same ruler they measure the police department/chief. Justice is a "double-edged" sword.

I think Seattle is living in the stone age by NOT HAVING a civilian review board.

In my city, the Police Department spearheaded the efforts for civilian review, because they were confident the city police were acting professionally. They wanted review...because they DIDN'T WANT TO TOLERATE any bad apples.

The Chief appears to be abusing the spirit of the law by using the letter of the law. Shame on him.

Lastly, why should a police officer's military service in Afghanistan be a factor in his promotion as a city police officer? These are two different jobs.

Maybe the Chief doesn't recognize that this is not the military, and that his officers don't have the right to be abusive.

Chief Kerlikowski appears to be an honest and well meaning person, and indeed does have a difficult job. As with most experienced police officers, his primary contact with "the public" is often with the "bad guys" or others that somehow come to their direct attention - often with the police and the individual disagreeing in some way. To them, we all look like "perps" after a while.

In the case being discussed, his officers may have felt that their actions were reasonable and justified. As a handicapped individual who may not be able to follow an officers instructions as well, as quickly, or as completely as they might like to see, that terrifies me. I don't want to be the next person treated as a "bad actor" because my "compliance" with an officer's sometimes contradictory, confusing, and unreasonable (for me) commands is not immediate and fawning.

If an officer suddenly tells me to go wait across the street, I probably won't comply. Will I be allowed to explain that I can't, or will I become yet another person treated rudely and violently?

Tough job Chief. You do it well, but physical violence against the public should NOT be first choice in actions by your officers.

I think Mr. Mak conducted a fair and tough interview with the Chief. He got the Chief to expose his biases. He got the Chief to reveal his emotional attachment to his fellow officers...the same sentimentality that allows him to promote rogue cops who abuse innocent people and who the public doesn't trust.

Lastly, Mr. Maks interview revealed (on the videotape) that the officers not only have NO SKILL in de-escalation techniques...they actually incited the incident.

This is the first time I've watched this show, but I will continue to watch.

Why doesn't Seattle demand a police force that PROTECTS and SERVES the public...instead of taunting and abusing them?

I am outraged to see this cheif support this kind of behavior. These officers need more than just "more training" they need to know they are not above regular people when they put on that uniform. They need to know these kinds of actions will not be tolerated. They need to be suspended without pay, fired or something. A parent cannot just pull a wrestling move on a child and kick them just because they said something, then call for the neighbors to join in what makes it okay for a police officer to do it? After watching this I am more upset because now I see that this behavior is continuing because there is no accoutability.

I was glad to hear the Chiefs side of these issues. I think he is doing a great job considering the large group of people representing all sides!

I believe too many of our citizens when confronted, whether half drunk or high on something, just think they are free to mouth off, insult, and refuse police officers orders, when they are involved in an isuue concerning possible illegal activities. Maybe the public at large needs a little training in how to deal with our officers? In my opinion when a cop has to tell you to do something, do it!

The police are paid by the citizes to protect us from crimes large and small. It can be a risky business, one I would not want to try myself! They need our fullest help and support.

Peter

I was glad to hear the Chiefs side of these issues. I think he is doing a great job considering the large group of people representing all sides!

I believe too many of our citizens when confronted, whether half drunk or high on something, just think they are free to mouth off, insult, and refuse police officers orders, when they are involved in an isuue concerning possible illegal activities. Maybe the public at large needs a little training in how to deal with our officers? In my opinion when a cop has to tell you to do something, do it!

The police are paid by the citizes to protect us from crimes large and small. It can be a risky business, one I would not want to try myself! They need our fullest help and support.

Peter

I think groups that discriminate against the entire police department are ignorant and should apologize. Evil is not always outside of us; it is the bias, stereotyping and ignorance that lies within us. INFORM yourself of the good police officers are doing for this country.... and while you're at it, try to show more respect for the touch job they have of always being criticized but NEVER praised or rewarded for all the women they save from domestic violence, all the "wife beaters" they stick in prison, all the lost kids they drive home, all the elderly women/men stuck in nursing homes and taken advantage of physically and monetarily. Have/show respect... BEFORE you criticize.

I think Chief Kerlikowske's job is a thankless one. Defending officers, who's ability to perform their job is already compromised by over-regulation and a "guilty till proven innocent" mentality, isn't any easier when the media-fueled fury of an uninformed public and the vocal few with barely disguised political agendas are added to the mix.
From all CREDIBLE reports, the Seattle Police deal with the public in a consistently professional manner, while too many of our citizens (both criminal and otherwise) respond in outrageous ways that would horrify the rest of us. Statistics and records show that the vast majority of complaints against officers are unfounded at worst and grossly trumped up at best—filed by 'citizens' who've learned how to play the system. Are there exceptions? Certainly. Should we therefore assume that without an anti-plolice biased system of oversight we are doomed to a corrupt and abusive police state? Hardly.
Review boards ought to be required to ride along with police officers several times per year in all districts and shifts. Only in this manner can they begin to develop a real world view of how often those who claim abuse are really just playing the system and our collective tendency towards politically correct posturing and pandering. Such a board would then have the credibility to substantiate the few cases with merit and aid the department in dealing with the rare officer that has abused police power.

There goes the NAACP again, cooking up false charges and using manipullation of the media to bash the police. Why don't they worry more about the young black men getting into trouble and the unwed mothers? The NAACP has outlived its purpose and cares nothing for the black people of America.

The Chief certianly has a difficult and thankless job. And I am sure he does a good job most of the time. The problem seems to be a few times which are signifcant. In particular, the officer seems to have admitted to performing a wrestling move to take down an individual. Where I am from that is clearly assault and a significant crime. Unless there is a lot information that is not coming out - which is totatly possible - it looks bad for the department and the chief. The chief's answers also just seemed off and did not inspire confidence. I mean, why not put his reasons in writing if they are good reasons?

Policing the downtown corridor can be tricky at best. Robert Mak thanks for your candid handling of this controversy. No matter what, our Chief of Police is going to be wrong to some of our outstanding citizens, period. I've seen first-hand the drug dealings in the area where the person in the wheelchair was allegedly committed. It is mind boggling to me how desperate some of these people are and how they cover each other's backs. I've also seen first-hand how the truth gets so blown out of proportion it becomes a joke. How in the world can an officer know when a threat is real or just a bluff??

Having been a public servant, I've had to sit on my hands when defending myself would have been my desire but my job security was important so I did just that, sat on my hands. I for one citizen of this fine city applaud our police department and our Chief. This Chief has been attacked by every element inlcuding those he oversees. Do any of you remember the vote of "no confidence" by the very officers he oversees? Hang in there Chief Kerlikolwski.

If anyone thinks they can do the job any better, let them try! Chances are they wouldn't last very long and I know they wouldn't hold up as well as we've seen our Chief hold up.

As for those who stirred up this beehive, shame on you! That's just my opinion, thanks for reading and again, thank you Robert Mak.

Policing the downtown corridor can be tricky at best. Robert Mak thanks for your candid handling of this controversy. No matter what, our Chief of Police is going to be wrong to some of our outstanding citizens, period. I've seen first-hand the drug dealings in the area where the person in the wheelchair was allegedly committed. It is mind boggling to me how desperate some of these people are and how they cover each other's backs. I've also seen first-hand how the truth gets so blown out of proportion it becomes a joke. How in the world can an officer know when a threat is real or just a bluff??

Having been a public servant, I've had to sit on my hands when defending myself would have been my desire but my job security was important so I did just that, sat on my hands. I for one citizen of this fine city applaud our police department and our Chief. This Chief has been attacked by every element inlcuding those he oversees. Do any of you remember the vote of "no confidence" by the very officers he oversees? Hang in there Chief Kerlikolwski.

If anyone thinks they can do the job any better, let them try! Chances are they wouldn't last very long and I know they wouldn't hold up as well as we've seen our Chief hold up.

As for those who stirred up this beehive, shame on you! That's just my opinion, thanks for reading and again, thank you Robert Mak.