Olympia community members are clamoring for an independent investigation of the August 22 shooting incident involving a police officer who allegedly killed Timothy Green, who had mental health issues.
In a public comment segment at the city council meeting held yesterday, Darek Ball criticized the city government for lack of police reform and failure to offer adequate mental health services to the most vulnerable community members.
He claimed that Olympia has been refusing to address the many police reforms which] the community has been calling for for over a decade.
"We have demanded citizen oversight of the police and the ability of the citizens – not cop buddies and neighboring police departments – to investigate police violence and police misconduct," said Ball, who shared his comment online.
Ball also criticized Olympia for the delayed body cameras for police officers. "We were promised that OPD would have body cams. It has been over two years since the George Floyd uprisings when we were promised this, and not one body cam has been placed on a single officer."
Earlier, Olympia Police Chief Rich Allen reported a delay in implementing body-worn cameras for OPD police officers until October due to supply issues.
Three more public commenters supported Ball's call to create an independent probe team.
Alice Rosewood demanded that the Capital Metro Independent Investigative Team (CMIIT) be disbanded and replaced with "a truly independent investigative team" such as the Office of Independent Investigations Advisory Board.
The advisory board, instituted through RCW 43.102.130, oversees the investigation of potential criminal conduct arising from police use of force, including custodial injuries and other officer-involved incidents.
In a previous city council meeting, Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby announced that the CMIIT, comprised of the Lacey and Tumwater police agencies, is probing the shooting incident.
In addition, Selby said representatives from Olympia's Use of Force Board are shadowing the investigation.
Grieving mom
Timothy's mother, who was only introduced as Mrs. Green, was at the council chambers yesterday. She was accompanied by another public commenter, Talauna Reed.
Mrs. Green said her son, Timothy, had a mental illness, but she described her son as "the most loving, kind person" and even emptied their pantry for the homeless people.
Mrs. Green said she always prays for police officers and military people. "Officers are not bad. I know this. But the ones what is not for humanity (sic), I am asking any of them to step down for the safety of our community."
Police investigation
Councilmember Dontae Payne said the incident is "deeply personal" to him, who is also Black.
"I share your skin. I share [Timothy's] skin," Payne told Mrs. Green.
Payne explained that it is difficult for them to speak about the incident, especially when they do not have all the facts and correct information. "We have to let this investigation play out."
In addressing the public's clamor, Payne said it is challenging to have civilian oversight.
"Conducting investigations is a profession. It takes professional expertise to do that. Law enforcement officers almost have a monopoly on that. There are civilian investigators, but not on the scale that folks in uniform conduct it," Payne said, adding they lack the entire infrastructure of civilian investigators.
Payne agreed there is a need for civilian oversight and civilian investigators, and they might ask the state to look into it.
Councilmember Jim Cooper expressed interest in the city having an independent investigation. "I would like to request a memo from our attorney outlining where the law lies in this investigation regarding the city's power to do more. A city the size of ours should consider its independent investigation."
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Honestyandrealityguy
Sad that anyone had to die. However, when someone is breaking the law and/or threatening to cause harm or death, a police officer does not have the ability to know whether the officer will be harmed or killed, whether the criminal is healthy, whether the criminal is going to pull at trigger, or more. When these people supposedly have mental problems, why don't their families keep them home or travel with them to help avoid these tragedies. I support the police on this one.
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 Report this
JulesJames
Twenty minutes. That is way plenty time for the individual to comply. He didn’t. He attacked.
Thursday, September 15, 2022 Report this
Deskandchairs
Exactly, it is the behavior that caused the out come. All this after the fact background and hand wringing is simply emotion, not helpful
Thursday, September 15, 2022 Report this
Southsoundguy
Look at how going down this path has turned out for Seattle. People, do we really want Seattle-values down here? The man’s death is a TRAGEDY, but we need to turn away from these people who would exploit it for radical political gains, even the family of the deceased. This type of activism gives the family NO peace, it just embeds them in the pain forever.
Thursday, September 15, 2022 Report this
JW
The real tragedy here is a "compassionate" belief that mentally ill and/or drug addicted criminals should be allowed to roam about however they want causing mayhem and havoc. If Timothy Green had been where he belonged in some sort of involuntary treatment facility getting the actual help he needed, then this situation may have been avoided.
However, multiple tazings followed by charging at the police with a knife is absolutely a justified shooting, and the groveling by the Olympia city council, while typical and unsurprising, is always pathetic to see.
Thursday, September 15, 2022 Report this
HarveysMom
On behalf of families with members with disabilities, I say you need to walk a mile in our shoes.
So we're supposed to be their prison guards? Only very rich families can afford to do that, forsaking gainful employment of their own, or to hire others to perpetually control their children, brothers and nephews.
So many people in contact with human beings suffering disabilities are heartbroken that the outcome of this event was deadly.
It is the tragedy of mental illness. It is not simply "somebody breaking the law".
We all need to protect ourselves, so I sympathize with the folks who were assaulted by the man. However, there need to be alternatives to killing them, when mentally ill people are in the throes of their illnesses.
Politics has absolutely nothing to do with it. And the police are not the only ones in the picture.
Friday, September 16, 2022 Report this
MindyOrk
There is alot of disturbing apathy and serious ignorance about this issue. There are many racist police that feel they have the right to kill people of color with impunity. AN ACT THAT DATES BACK TO THE KKK WORKING AS POLICE, MAYORS, JUDGES AND GESTAPO COMMUNITY LEADERS. Meanwhile, whites doing the same crime or worst are allowed a trial in court. JUST TO HAVE CHARGES DROPPED AND NO PUNISHMENT. Police have historically, acted as judge and jury, authoritarian and executors toward people of color- UNPROVOKED. Timothys crimes were not a death sentence. In a court of law, all are allowed a trial. But instead people of color are murdered. THIS IS THE ISSUE. Also, we fought long and hard for laws to stop police from even arresting mental health cases, let alone killing those having a health crisis. Police are not clinical social workers. They are old boys club murderers, taking orders from racist. FACT. I am an educated, well spoken and well dressed person of color and have had the police called on me NUMEROUS TIMES, for simply existing. FACT. And for practicing constitutional rights that are for ALL people. Right to gather in protest, right to free speech, free thought and free expression. These are basic human rights that get a 911 call (someone we dont think has the right to exist in our precious community is doing something we dont like, come remove them away from our sight) FACT. This common behavior is done both by white BLM type of supporters on the left and white constitution supporters on the right- who all want to monopolize basic human rights for their own selfiish agenda. TO HAVE ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE ALLOWED TO EXIST IN "THEIR" SOCIETY. Its a class issue and an ethnic issue. But most important, it is a basic human rights issue. Elitist and supremacy minded society members deeming a certain indivisual, class or ethnic group as a blight to society, JUST FOR EXISTING. When a person of color has to walk around a community, hands clinched, in fear, bowing and smiling, JIM CROW style at any white person, afraid of any unapproved of speech or move will lead them to be seen as unacceptable. Imagine, this is how many people of color feel everyday. Seen as subordinates, no matter how educated. Seen as criminals just for existing, seen as violent, just for speaking up, seen as not worthy of basic human rights. Their basic human dignity subjugated and life seen as worthless. As Timothys mother said, the system let her down. Such a ruthless and cruel society that silently allows these crimes against humanity to continue and the murder of such a beautiful soul, needs the healing restoration of God. Cause otherwise, your precious society, and all that allow these crimes against humanity to continue- will fall.
Saturday, September 17, 2022 Report this
gogogoanne
Timothy Green was a good friend of mine! Infact he was a really close friend to me. He was awesome, sweet, caring and funny as heck and I miss him so much! Tmoney you will be missed and always in my heart.. I still cry and think about him every day! When he was not going threw the mental struggles he was a together all around good minded person and it was just a outburst he was having and I tried calling him the night before to have him come stay the night to get his head together cause I knew he was going threw some rough mental times and he didnt pick up the phone and the next morning it happened and I just wish he would have answered the phone that night. Love you T im so sorry things turned out this way for you...
Saturday, October 22, 2022 Report this