SEATTLE — A Seattle police officer is at risk of losing her job over an arrest involving a golf club.
KOMO-TV reports Officer Cynthia Whitlatch in her report of the July 2014 arrest said William Wingate had used a golf club as a weapon in a threatening manner. But Wingate claims to have used a golf club only as a cane while taking his daily walks.
The Office of Professional Accountability, a Seattle watchdog, has recommended that Whitlach be terminated. Their review of the arrest found multiple policy violations including bias, no grounds to make a stop and failure to use de-escalation tactics.
Det. Ron Smith, president of the Seattle Police Officers’ Guild, disputes the findings. He plans to appeal if Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole upholds the OPA’s recommendations.
