King Co to hire civilian watchdog to oversee deputy complaints
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SEATTLE -- A case of mistaken identity got Christopher Harris slammed, head-first, into a wall.
His family says the deputy who shoved him might never have had the chance if a civilian had seen the prior complaints against him.
Two years have passed since the incident, but Harris is still completely debilitated by the brain damage he suffered.
"He's on a feeding tube, as everybody knows. You have to do everything for him. He can't eat, walk. (He is) bedridden 24-7," said Steve Harris, the victim's uncle.
Steve Harris believes the sheriff's office never adequately investigated his nephew's case. No charges were filed, and the uncle wishes a civilian watchdog had been in place to see the past complaints against Deputy Matt Paul.
"We figured it was going to come out in their favor. You know, they are investigating themselves. We didn't anticipate anything else but in their favor," he said.
That lack of civilian oversight is now changing as King County gets ready to choose from five semi-finalists a civilian oversight director who will lead the newly-created office of law enforcement oversight.
"I've seen a person who ran from the police and was launched into a wall to the point where he's now comatose, and not able to speak or eat without help from others. So those are the things that I care about," said candidate Charles Gaither.
The civilian oversight committee will report directly to the King County Council. It cannot investigate excessive force complaints, but it can raise the alarm with the public if a case lacks thoroughness or objectivity.
The sheriff's office says it's lobbied for a public watchdog for years and blames the council for delays. A spokesman also doubts such oversight would have made any difference in the Christopher Harris case.
His family isn't convinced.
"The civilians should look in on them, because they obviously hide a lot of stuff. A lot of things get swept under the rug, fall through the cracks and everything else. And civilians wouldn't let that happen," said Steve Harris.
On Friday, a selection committee will narrow down the field of candidates for civilian oversight director from five to three. King County Executive Dow Constantine will then make the final decision, which will have to be approved by the county council.
His family says the deputy who shoved him might never have had the chance if a civilian had seen the prior complaints against him.
Two years have passed since the incident, but Harris is still completely debilitated by the brain damage he suffered.
"He's on a feeding tube, as everybody knows. You have to do everything for him. He can't eat, walk. (He is) bedridden 24-7," said Steve Harris, the victim's uncle.
Steve Harris believes the sheriff's office never adequately investigated his nephew's case. No charges were filed, and the uncle wishes a civilian watchdog had been in place to see the past complaints against Deputy Matt Paul.
"We figured it was going to come out in their favor. You know, they are investigating themselves. We didn't anticipate anything else but in their favor," he said.
That lack of civilian oversight is now changing as King County gets ready to choose from five semi-finalists a civilian oversight director who will lead the newly-created office of law enforcement oversight.
"I've seen a person who ran from the police and was launched into a wall to the point where he's now comatose, and not able to speak or eat without help from others. So those are the things that I care about," said candidate Charles Gaither.
The civilian oversight committee will report directly to the King County Council. It cannot investigate excessive force complaints, but it can raise the alarm with the public if a case lacks thoroughness or objectivity.
The sheriff's office says it's lobbied for a public watchdog for years and blames the council for delays. A spokesman also doubts such oversight would have made any difference in the Christopher Harris case.
His family isn't convinced.
"The civilians should look in on them, because they obviously hide a lot of stuff. A lot of things get swept under the rug, fall through the cracks and everything else. And civilians wouldn't let that happen," said Steve Harris.
On Friday, a selection committee will narrow down the field of candidates for civilian oversight director from five to three. King County Executive Dow Constantine will then make the final decision, which will have to be approved by the county council.
