By Aaron Miller-
Seattle, WA – Seattle police authorities are investigating after a police union leader was caught on tape joking about an Indian woman killed by a police officer.
Daniel Auderer is now under investigation after bodycam footage captured him making callous remarks about the tragic death of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student(pictured) at Northeastern University who was fatally struck by a police car while crossing the street in January.
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The disturbing video recording has sent shockwaves through Seattle and beyond, as it appears to depict Officer Auderer suggesting that Kandula’s life had “limited value” and that the city should merely “write a cheque” in response to her tragic death.
The tragic incident in question occurred on January 23rd when a police car, driven by an unidentified officer, was travelling at a high speed of 74 mph (119 km/h), resulting in Kandula being thrown over 100 feet (30 meters).
Officer Auderer was called to the scene, where his body camera recorded the disturbing audio exchange that has since garnered widespread attention.
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In the video, Officer Auderer can be heard saying, “But she is dead,” followed by laughter. He then remarks, “No, it’s a regular person. Yeah, just write a cheque,” before laughing again. Perhaps most shockingly, he adds, “Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value.”
Officer Auderer, who also serves as a Seattle Police Department union leader, has since claimed that his comments were taken out of context.
He asserted that he was attempting to mimic how city attorneys might seek to minimize liability in cases like this, emphasizing that his laughter was directed at the perceived absurdity of such legal proceedings.
The release of this footage prompted immediate action by the Seattle Police Department, which issued a statement acknowledging the disturbing nature of the remarks.
An employee within the department discovered the conversation while performing routine tasks and expressed concerns about the content.
These concerns were promptly escalated up the chain of command, leading to the matter being handed over to the Office of Police Accountability, the agency responsible for investigating police misconduct.
The Office of Police Accountability has launched a comprehensive inquiry into the context surrounding Officer Auderer’s comments and whether any departmental policies were violated.
This investigation will shed light on the circumstances that led to these shocking remarks, aiming to hold the officer accountable for his actions.
In response to the incident, the Seattle Community Police Commission, another oversight agency, expressed its deep dismay and outrage.
They described the body-camera footage as “heartbreaking and shockingly insensitive,” further highlighting the pressing need for police reform and accountability.
Victoria Beach, the chair of the African American Community Advisory Council, shared her shock and dismay in local news, stating, “I was very disturbed that somebody could laugh about somebody that died.” Her sentiments echo those of countless community members who were deeply troubled by the officer’s remarks.
Furthermore, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has initiated a criminal review of the incident, suggesting that Officer Auderer may face legal consequences for his insensitive comments. This development underscores the gravity of the situation and the determination of authorities to ensure justice is served.
As this investigation unfolds, the expectations and demands from the community are clear.
The tragic death of Jaahnavi Kandula was a devastating event that deeply affected her family, friends, and the entire community.
It is imperative that the investigation into Officer Auderer’s remarks is conducted diligently and fairly to restore faith in the police force and ensure that such insensitivity and callousness have no place within law enforcement.
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