We call for Mike Solan’s resignation
SEATTLE — The 43rd District Democrats join all of the Seattle City Council, the mayor, Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council, Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County, and the Black Law Enforcement Association of Washington calling for the resignation of Seattle Police Officer Guild’s (SPOG’s) president, Mike Solan. The resolution calling for his resignation as president and as a Seattle Police Department (SPD) officer passed unanimously Jan. 19th.
We call attention to the people’s right to be free of police violence, especially given the Department of Justice investigation found that when SPD uses force, it’s unconstitutional 20% of the time. Such violence can and will reflect white supremacist state power unless checked. Such white supremacist power inherent in policing is evident not only with the five officers, so far, under investigation for joining the DC Capitol’s fascist mob, but also in Solan’s own social media use: from tweets to following the Proud Boys founder, Gavin McInnes, on Parler. Solan is also one of eight officers who have broken the law with impunity, using various SPD precincts or the Seattle Police Athletic Association address as a voting address. Solan has also skirted his own department’s public affairs recommendations.
The behavior Solan exhibits online and on camera as SPOG president has led to a citywide loss of confidence in his ability to perform as an officer of the law, and in his ability to be a good faith partner in contract negotiations.
"Trust is crucial in any healthy relationship, and officer Solan has abused the trust of the people of Seattle one too many times,” said 43rd District Democrats member Jessica Trupin. “I want to see him be accountable for his actions and make room for new leadership that recognizes what Seattle needs is not a police force that seeks conflict with protesters or that believes it's above the law, but prioritizes human safety and human rights. After a decade under the Consent Decree, things have gotten worse, not better, and officer Solan is very much a part of the leadership that has brought us to this terrible moment."
“This unanimous vote demonstrates loud and clear the extent to which Seattle’s residents no longer feel safe under Solan’s reign,” said 43rd District Democrats’ Chair Scott Alspach. “Mike Solan’s refusal to resign despite such sentiments shows that he cares more about advancing his own agenda than the safety of our city.”
The 43rd District Democrats strongly support the implementation of accountability measures sought by community groups in the next SPOG contract.
