Documents raise red flags about embattled SPD officer
»Play Video
SEATTLE -- A Seattle police officer already under investigation for excessive force and misconduct has had problems in his past.
A Problem Solvers investigation revealed new details about Clayton Powell's days as a police recruit. Documents from Powell's personnel file say mistakes, excessive force and bad language kept him off the force for a time, yet Powell is under currently under investigation for some of the exact same conduct.
The investigation into Powell started after an early August confrontation at Holly Park. The Office of Professional Accountability is reviewing video and statements after SPD officials say Powell responded to a drive-by shooting call. Video shows the officer yelling at members of the crowd and shoving an onlooker after being spit upon.
After that incident, Sergeant Sean Whitcomb said Powell was being investigated for "excessive force and unprofessionalism."
In another video that has been online since May, Powell is seen once again using foul language to make a point. The department is aware of the video.
The Problem Solvers obtained Powell's personnel file to see if these were isolated incidents. While his discipline record is clean, several documents raised more questions about how Powell became an officer in the first place.
According to department and training memos, Powell first attended the training academy in the latter half of 1992. He failed field tests three separate times.
At the time, trainers raised red flags about Powell grabbing suspects and having "an inability to process information." Another memo raised worry about Powell's use of force in mock scenarios, and that his actions could open the department to legal liability.
After the third failed test, the training staff, with SPD support, actually changed the requirements for Powell. His written test requirements would be deleted and he would get ten more mock scenarios to try to pass. He couldn't do it.
A memo shows that Powell failed his first five retests and the instructor didn't want to continue. The trainer said Powell previously used profanity in class that was "expressly prohibited."He wrote that Powell was given "an extraordinary opportunity and failed to take advantage of it."
Documents show Powell resigned and became a parking enforcement officer in 1993.
He returned to the academy in 1994, passed his tests, and has been working with SPD ever since. A career that started with concerns and is now under investigation.
SPD and the training academy were not able to comment for this story.
Powell is still under paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the OPA investigation.
A Problem Solvers investigation revealed new details about Clayton Powell's days as a police recruit. Documents from Powell's personnel file say mistakes, excessive force and bad language kept him off the force for a time, yet Powell is under currently under investigation for some of the exact same conduct.
The investigation into Powell started after an early August confrontation at Holly Park. The Office of Professional Accountability is reviewing video and statements after SPD officials say Powell responded to a drive-by shooting call. Video shows the officer yelling at members of the crowd and shoving an onlooker after being spit upon.
After that incident, Sergeant Sean Whitcomb said Powell was being investigated for "excessive force and unprofessionalism."
In another video that has been online since May, Powell is seen once again using foul language to make a point. The department is aware of the video.
The Problem Solvers obtained Powell's personnel file to see if these were isolated incidents. While his discipline record is clean, several documents raised more questions about how Powell became an officer in the first place.
According to department and training memos, Powell first attended the training academy in the latter half of 1992. He failed field tests three separate times.
At the time, trainers raised red flags about Powell grabbing suspects and having "an inability to process information." Another memo raised worry about Powell's use of force in mock scenarios, and that his actions could open the department to legal liability.
After the third failed test, the training staff, with SPD support, actually changed the requirements for Powell. His written test requirements would be deleted and he would get ten more mock scenarios to try to pass. He couldn't do it.
A memo shows that Powell failed his first five retests and the instructor didn't want to continue. The trainer said Powell previously used profanity in class that was "expressly prohibited."He wrote that Powell was given "an extraordinary opportunity and failed to take advantage of it."
Documents show Powell resigned and became a parking enforcement officer in 1993.
He returned to the academy in 1994, passed his tests, and has been working with SPD ever since. A career that started with concerns and is now under investigation.
SPD and the training academy were not able to comment for this story.
Powell is still under paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the OPA investigation.
This is sad on the part of so many people. You cry "HO!" for the dogs of war, and when they snap and snarl you disown them. This guy is no Ian Burke, not by a long shot, but you want to smear his entire history as a 19 year officer because he doesn't kiss a hostile crowd's behind, or walk away when he is being taunted by some idiot who can't step back from a police officer and maintain a respectful distance? Both of those situations showed restraint on Powell's part. If you can come down to the south end and deal with these problems for nearly 20 years and keep your cool everyday I would love to have you working a beat in my neighboorhood, untill then folks show a little understanding of the pressures of the job. I don't need armchair quarterbacks pulling good officers off the street in the south end, I need more guys like this.
Water seeks its own level
The younger overreacting police officer are a symptom of the problem . which in my view is protectionism of officer that are told to use excessive force if their training and experience deems it necessary . witch is seemingly to often . Police officer are going to be the first target during riots and civil unrest. Police officer voluntarily have / will place your safety above theirs during a robbery , hostage , or burglary... They are told to run toward dangerous situations and we are told to stay in our homes to keep us safe. not all police officer come home. They for the most part are brave self sacrificing individual who receive little respect or positive feed back form the community they serve.. However the contemptuous officer who throw their weight around and escalate minor situations cause great suffering and harm to citizens . and the OPA , Police chef , DA the mayor, and ofcorse let's not forget the SPOG , and the insurance company that cover police misconduct pay outs . are all there to protect bad cops form litigation. Im sorry to say but it's all about the money. it's easier and cheaper to protect police officer than to retrain an entire police force. just ask the Chef Diaz about " The chilling effect " P.S Andrew bush you have to at least give officer credit where credit is do on balance ,or you will appear as a cop basher and weaken the objectiveness of your comments. Not all police fit the mold. Keep up the good fight Andrew
Hey KOMO, why aren't you reporting on this dirtbag? http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019346453_chambers05m.html
 @BobDobbs Now you are spamming. Â
I lived in south Seattle for 32 year, grew up in this area. We do have good cops and bad cops (a..hole) and I have encounter the a..hole. I don't get in trouble but one incident with my sister and this cop was an a..hole.
Â
We do have some criminal and some (lots) of kids who need some lesson since their parents are not able to control them. If my kids are up to no good and I can't do anything about it (it so limited to what we can do with our children)Â I wish some one can like the law.
Â
This officer has the right to protect himself (but he need to lose the profanity). What happen 20 year ago shouldn't matter and people change.
And that folks is exactly why they will not allow me on any police force. I figure I got a gun, if you choose to be a butt head with a person who has a gun you deserve what you get. I'll teach you some manners that your mama never did.
This comment has been deleted
 @Gigi Its spelled "manners". Â
Â
Â
and "Its" should be "It ' s"
Opps, my bad. Thanks.
This man Powell should get a medal for roughing up some gangbangers.Â
It seems this article is somewhat out of context. Â The incidents they are pointing out took place 20 years ago. Â He has been with SPD since, seemingly with no incidents.Â
Â
I subscribe to the idea that if you dont commit crimes, you wont have a problem with the police.Â
@The206
 Do you not even comprehend what you just read.  These incidents were NOT 20 years ago. Â
Â
I swear its like a republican convention here. Â
Â
People are waking up to the fact that most of the people screaming about "liberals" Â and that we should not question police usually do not even live in Seattle. Â
Â
For that matter 95 percent of ALL Seattle Police Officers do NOT live in Seattle.Â
Â
SOÂ TRUE
IF THATÂ TRASH GANG MEMBER HAD SPIT ON ME I WOULD HAVE DONE A LOT MORE THEN PUNCHÂ THE CREEP
Hey KOMO, whay aren't you reporting on this dirtbag?
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019346453_chambers05m.html
@BobDobbs They won't because he is black, now if he was white and or a cop it would be front page news on KOMO.
Its a horrible feeling that our entire city is Being held hostage by the people we pay to uphold the law. Â
Â
Gee any chance this officer may have lied on his reports? Â Imagine thousands of peoples freedom were taken and they have a record based on the word of this YET ANOTHER thug with a badge. Â
Â
When human filth gets a badge everyone pays and this teenage bully in a mans body is a liability just like many many officers throughout the Seattle police department.Â
Â
Disgusting. Â
Â
Maybe you should become a Police Officer Andrew? You seem to have all the answers on how things should be ran. Would be interesting to see how long you would last.
 @SAM God no.... I wouldn't trust any of my coworkers. Â
Â
Seattle police have been proven to;
Â
Lie on reports,
abuse detained people
Plant drugs
make "attitude arrests"
Violate civil rights
Lie in court
Abuse their wives
Lie to the public
Abuse alcohol
Abuse their children
Abuse public trust
Abuse every drug including steroids, crystal Meth, cocaine heroin, pain Killers etc etc etc
Drive drunk
Defraud the public out of accountability that costs the tax payers MILLIONs
Â
Then there are the Millions and Millions it costs to defend the most corrupt Police Department in the entire United States that is effecting ALL budgets.Â
Â
As I said..... I wouldn't trust my coworkers. Â
Â
Seattle Police.... Organized Crime Perfected..... Almost.Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
You're delusional.
 @SAM Yep... I feel the same way about our corrupt Seattle police department.Â
Â
It is Pathetic! Â
Â
Again, I would seek that no protection needed letter. It could help with your paranoia. Not diverting from facts; just trying to understand how you figured out everything about life already? Amazing!
Pathetic.
 @SAM  Nope... I can generalize with the Seattle police because as a whole the Seattle police defrauded the entire city out of MILLIONS!
Â
IF we had ANY so-called "good" officers we would not have been defrauded for so many years.Â
Â
Every single officer knew there was no accountability and all every single officer had to do is keep their mouths shut. Â
Â
They drove into our city (95% don't live here) and smiled to our faces while the citizens of Seattle paid millions for all the wrongdoing by Seattle police. Â
Â
Ten MILLION just in payroll for the OPA GONE
Ten MILLION for defending one corrupt officer after another for the crimes they commit... GONE!
MILLIONS and MILLIONS in court costs, prosecutors, judges, court employees... GONE!
Millions and Millions in investigating these officers both locally and the Federal Investigation... GONE
MILLIONS and MILLIONS in settlements for years and years of rights violations, unlawful arrests and outright abuse of people who have never been convicted of any crime.... GONE!!!!!
Â
That is an ENTIRELY CORRUPT Seattle Police Department. Â
Â
Â
Â
With regards to your post Andrew; stating that all of the Seattle Police are the above items you pointed out is a bit of a generalization, don't you think? There are good Police officers and there are corrupt Police officers, in any Police department. Just as there are good politcians, crooked politicians; good people, bad people, etc. I think to genaralize as such is unfair, even to the Seattle Police.
@Andrew Bush Typical Liberal doubchebaggery response....City being held hostage by the police.....haha You're a joke Andrew take a hike troll.
 @roe jogan  Who are you calling a troll while you call others names while hiding behind a persona of Joe Rogan.. Now that by definition is a troll. Â
This comment has been deleted
@RYAM 17
LOL... "coward who hides behind a fake picture" Â ??? Â
Â
My pic is real. Â I log in with facebook.Â
Â
Maybe if you post your own photo you wouldn't look the fool when you accuse others of hiding.
Â
This comment has been deleted
 @Andrew Bush Surely you don't think I'm a cop? do you?
 @SJ As I said... They always out themselves. Â
Â
 @Andrew Bush I have a thought...lets do away with police altogether, arm every man, woman, and child, and if someone comes on your place....just blow em away...sound ok to you?
 @Andrew Bush Well you know it's ok to do that (hide) and without being to judgemental, sounds as tho you have had some rough encounters with the police? how would you change things for the better?
 @Andrew Bush Just a couple questions while I got ya here, I have seen your comments when there is a news story on the SPD, it seems you are super anti-cop, I don't know why, but do you really think ALL cops are corrupt? could you pick just one that isn't? assuming you know each and every cop at SPD, there has to be at least ONE who is a good cop, is that true?
 @SJ There are police officers who sign on here to comment while hiding too... Others have also pointed this out. Â
Â
They usually out themselves without realizing it. Â
Â
 @Andrew Bush Hey, I believe you bud, if you say that is your real self,  I think you are very brave to put it on here, got more guts than I do...thumbs up...
 @SJ  yes I notice the vocal opponents of police accountability never have face pics.... Funny that.Â
 @Andrew Bush Yea, so there, we all know everyone who has a Facebook page uses their REAL pictures, ah Andrew my friend, this kinda reeks shamelessly of  fishing for more "FRIENDS ON FICTIONBOOK"
Listen to all you Liberal hacks, you want the police to protect you yet when they need to protect themselves from some gangbangin thug who spits in his face (and possibly is carrying a disease) you all jump on the KOMO anti-police bandwagon and want a lynching.
Â
This black dirt bag thug is the same scum who would rob you blind at gun point, beat you to a pulp for your I-Phone, or pimp your daughter on the streets of Seattle, and your all up in arms because he got pushed by a cop because he spit in his face...boooohooohooo
 @roe jogan They are not liberals, they are racist! As i posted, if the cop was white, he would be a HERO! Otherwise, I agree with your post 100%
If he was a white cop he would be hailed as a HERO for standing up against those "Black Thugs" !! Sure is amazing how the "Blue Code of Silence" doesn't apply to black officers like it does to their white partners?Â
Sounds like he's captain material.
Powell, YOU ARE A LOSER!! Â You're a Punk! Â What's up with your negativity? Â Obviously you need some love in your life. Â Sorry you had a rough, unloving life, but don't take it out on others. Â Go seek some therapy! Â SPD, fire this loser!
Must be a slow news day in KOMO's "Anti-SPD" division.
How many more of these knuckleheads have been shielded by the SPOGang and folks like do nothing Diaz over the years?
Â
Everyone else have the warm fuzzies knowing that you're currently paying for this d-bag to enjoy a lengthy paid vacation?
THAT TRASH WONT GET A DIME
Â
The dude was spit on by some freak thug who possibly has HIV, what the heck was he supposed to do, take him to dinner and movie?
I'm against excessive force and unprofessional conduct by law enforcement but this is somewhat different
 @Larry*X*K There may be other problems with this officer, but I would also have a hard time with being spit on, and I might have done exactly as he did in that situation. As for his training academy experience- it sounds like he studied and worked very hard to become a cop and was persistent , coming back for a second round. I don't think that matters much, unless there is some evidence of corruption - which it does not currently seem there is.
If there are on-going concerns from his peers, that matters.
@Larry*X*K  If you read my previous posts, you will see that i too am against excessive force and unprofessional conduct by law enforcement but my first thoughts are like yours. If someone spits on you, you should be able to protect yourself
Its clear that at least half the force doesn't have the common sense or decency to be a law enforcement officers. Â With such a well-deserved crappy rep---its no shocker that citizens won't listen to what the bruts have to say.
 @SandyBeach I'm not defending this guy, it is plain he has a rocky past, but what are the police suppose to do when they get spit on, shoved, out numbered, do they shoot, tase, wrestle, get in the car and lock the doors until back-up arrives? I'm just asking what you think they should to handle this kind of situation.
 @SandyBeach I worked Corrections and I wouldn't be a Police Officer for all the tea in China. The public wants the Police to protect and serve them...yet they jump on the band wagon whenever a cop has to take an out of control whiney criminal down.. The criminals now have more rights than anyone..we live in a messed up society.