At Least 3 More Seattle Police Officers Attended D.C. Protest

SEATTLE — Officials confirm that three more Seattle Police officers attended the Jan. 6 protest in Washington D.C. than previously thought, and like the first two, they are all under investigation to see if they participated in the ensuing riot or stormed the nation's Capitol.

"We know they were at the demonstration, but we want to know: what did they do at the demonstration? The important consideration for us is did they cross the barricade, did they go into the Capitol building?" said Andrew Myerberg, director of Seattle's Office of Police Accountability.

Myerberg first announced that two more officers were under investigation at meeting with the Seattle Community Police Commission Wednesday morning.

"We have two other officers that have self reported over the last couple days about also being at the rally," Myerberg said. "I anticipate that there may be more."

He was quickly proven right: SPD confirmed another officer had attended the rally later that same day — bringing the total number of confirmed Seattle Police officers at the riot to five. Like the previous two, the fifth officer also self-reported their attendance at the rally.

Notably, the first two did not self report — they were reported by a fellow SPD officer who saw photos of them at the protest on social media. As a result, the first officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the OPA's investigation. The three following officers who reported their own attendance remain on duty.

All five officers are being interviewed to determine exactly what they did at the Jan. 6 protest. The OPA says it will also be reviewing all available footage of the rally to piece together each officer's actions while in D.C.

At the CPC meeting, Myerberg said he was aware of growing calls for all the involved officers to be fired, but stressed that they have a right to peacefully demonstrate and express political beliefs, and would only lose their jobs if it was found that they took part in the riot or the invasion of the Capitol.

"If they violate the law for sure, there will be consequences, but simply going to a rally and exercising their beliefs, even if it's not what people in this group or what I may agree with, they have a sacrosanct first amendment right to do so," Myerberg said.

Myerberg's statement was echoed by interim Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz, who released a statement Wednesday reading in part:

As I stated before if OPA finds any evidence any officers were directly involved in the insurgence, they will be fired and the information will be shared with federal officials.
I made it very clear when I assumed this position, that any violation of community trust or any action that threatens our ability to serve this city will be met with full accountability.
We cannot violate the same laws we are sworn to protect.
We cannot allow violent or intimidating direct action to become acceptable in our society.
If any SPD employee participated directly in assaulting the Capitol, I will terminate them.