NAACP calls for outside probe of Seattle officers

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is calling for an outside law-enforcement agency to investigate allegations of misconduct against two Seattle police officers.

Chapter President James Bible said Tuesday that the federal government or an outside law-enforcement agency should look into all arrests made and police reports written by Officers Greg Neubert and Mike Tietjen. At least 17 state and federal court cases are in jeopardy of dismissal because of an inquiry by the Seattle Police Department into allegations that the officers lied about details in a Jan. 2 arrest.

"Essentially the concern is not just the 17 cases pending; it's all those cases where this information may not have been known prior to conviction," Bible said. "We just want to see that justice is served."

Bible said the local NAACP branch has received phone calls and e-mails from people who believe they have been treated unfairly by the two West Precinct bike-patrol officers.

The American Friends Service, an international group that carries out social-justice and peace programs, and the King County Defender Association's Racial Disparity Project, which analyzes the prevalence of racial disparities in the criminal-justice system, have joined the NAACP in the call for an expanded investigation.

"Given what's come out in the press and in the media, the individuals in the 17 cases were predominantly African-American," Bible said.

A Seattle police spokesman declined to comment Tuesday about the NAACP's call for an expanded investigation.

Neubert and Tietjen came under scrutiny after convicted felon George "Troy" Patterson said that before he was arrested on Jan. 2, the officers had briefly handcuffed and detained another man. Neither officer reported handcuffing and releasing the first man.

Seattle police policy requires that all instances in which people are detained by officers must be detailed in writing.

Seattle Police Officers' Guild President Rich O'Neill said the issue has been blown out of proportion.

According to a sworn statement in Patterson's criminal case, which has been dismissed, Neubert said he and Tietjen watched Patterson through a telescope from a building nine stories above the street. Neubert alleged that Patterson, who uses a wheelchair, sold drugs to a woman.

Patterson says he did not sell drugs that night.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com