Seattle Police Officer Faces Criticism for Laughter and Comments Following Fatal Incident

A Seattle police officer is facing international scrutiny after being captured on video laughing and making insensitive comments in the aftermath of a tragic incident in which a young woman was fatally struck by a patrol car. Officer Daniel Auderer, who also holds the position of vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, defended his remarks, asserting they were taken out of context.

The incident in question occurred on January 23, when a police cruiser traveling at 74 mph struck and killed 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula as she crossed the street at a crosswalk.

Body-worn camera footage, released recently, depicts Auderer speaking on the phone following his response to the incident. In the video, he appears to make light of Kandula’s death, stating, “Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26 anyway,” (misstating Kandula’s age) and adding, “She had limited value.” He also commented that the officer driving the vehicle that struck Kandula was not acting recklessly.

In response to the backlash, Auderer claimed that his comments were taken out of context. He contended that he was mocking lawyers and expressing frustration with how such incidents are litigated. Auderer also stated that he believed the conversation was private and not being recorded.

The Seattle Police Officers Guild echoed Auderer’s defense, asserting that without context, the comments appear horrifying and have no place in civil society. They mentioned that Auderer took responsibility for his actions as soon as he became aware of the video and requested a rapid adjudication process for the investigation into police misconduct.

An investigation into the incident is underway, led by the Seattle Office of Police Accountability, following a complaint from a Seattle police employee. Additionally, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is conducting a criminal review of the incident. The Seattle Police Department reported the footage to their attention after concerns were raised by an employee.

These comments come in the wake of a federal judge’s decision to end most federal oversight of the Seattle police, ruling that the department had achieved “full, sustained and lasting compliance” with a 2012 consent decree aimed at addressing concerns regarding the use of force and community trust.

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco expressed deep concern over the handling of Kandula’s death, labeling it “deeply troubling.” They have contacted state and local authorities, as well as officials in Washington, D.C., to demand a thorough investigation and action against those involved.

Kandula’s family also issued a statement, describing the comments as “truly disturbing and saddening” and emphasizing that every human life is invaluable, especially in times of tragic loss.

This incident continues to draw national and international attention as investigations proceed.