King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer is asking County Executive Dow Constantine to declare a day in early September “Chief Carmen Best Day” in honor of her retirement. The request was officially made in a letter (copied below) sent to Constantine Wednesday afternoon.
“Carmen Best is more than the police chief of our county’s largest city, ” said Councilmember von Reichbauer. “She has been a regional leader who has also been a trailblazer as an African-American woman in law enforcement.”
Councilmember von Reichbauer will also introduce a King County Council recognition that honors Chief Best’s 28 years of service to the Seattle Police Department and the city of Seattle.
“Chief Best was instrumental in working with King County and my committee (Government Accountability and Oversight) to enhance the police presence around the King County Courthouse to protect staff, visitors and jurors. Chief Best recognized the need for those frequenting the center of our judicial system to feel safe, and I appreciate the help she provided.”
Councilmember von Reichbauer’s Letter to Executive Constantine
Dear Dow:
I am writing to request that in honor of her retirement, September 2, 2020 (or other appropriate day around her retirement) be declared “Chief Carmen Best Day” in King County.
In her 28 year career serving the largest city in King County, Chief Best worked her way up through the ranks of the Seattle Police Department to become the first Black woman to head the department. While at the Department, Chief Best was tasked with helping to implement federally mandated reforms to address excessive force and biased policing, and she worked hard to cultivate relationships with communities of color.
As Chief, she was also instrumental in working with King County and my committee (Government Accountability and Oversight) to enhance the police presence around the King County Courthouse to protect staff, visitors and jurors. Chief Best recognized the need for those frequenting the center of our judicial system to feel safe, and I appreciate the help she provided.
With her retirement, the region is losing a strong, public proponent of diversity and representation in both the community and the police department, and I believe the least we can do is to recognize her for her 28 years of dedication to Seattle and King County.
With best wishes,
Pete von Reichbauer
The above is a press release from the office of King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. The Auburn Examiner has not independently verified its contents and encourages our readers to personally verify any information they find may be overly biased or questionable. The publication of this press release does not indicate an endorsement of its contents.
He wants a special day for our former Seattle Police chief? The issue is not race for Carmen Best. The issue is whether or not she was able to stop the takeover – and the shooting deaths and looting that resulted – from the recent riots in Seattle. She was unable to do a thing about that except watch it happen. Why should Seattle create a special day for a person who failed in her job?
When these rioters and so-called ‘activists’ stormed into a neighborhood in Seattle and not only destroyed everything they could lay their hands on, but began shooting each other, their message was completely lost in the mayhem that resulted. Neither they, or the Seattle Police, should hold any pride over what was done on both sides.
You want more professional police departments in Washington State? I have called upon KOMO News and Governor Jay Inslee to propose that Washington establish a central, state-funded Police Academy where ALL potential officers must graduate successfully before being allowed to put on a badge and gun. It’s what the State Patrol requires, after all. And what’s good for the goose is also good for the gander.
When I say ‘all potential officers’, I mean that anyone applying to a police force in Washington, whether it be on a city or a county level ANYWHERE in this state…should be required to attend this academy and pass the physical and psychological tests, as well as intensive training in all aspects of law enforcement. This includes training in dealing with minorities and people with mental issues. And when…and when NOT…to use a gun.
If such a statewide program were instituted, within five years you would see much better officers on the streets serving the Evergreen State.