Seattle Interim Police Chief Dismisses Officer Daniel Auderer for 'Offensive' Comments on Jaahnavi Kandula

Los Angeles/July 18, 2024
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A Seattle Police Department officer was terminated after body camera footage revealed him making light of a fatal incident where an officer struck a pedestrian last year. SPD Chief Sue Rahr informed the department of her decision to fire officer Daniel Auderer through an internal email.

Rahr acknowledged the unusual step of explaining her disciplinary decision to the entire department but justified it due to the case's extensive public and international attention. She emphasized that Auderer's actions had a far-reaching impact on the department and the law enforcement profession as a whole.

Rahr explained that the incident involved a tragic death of a young college student, causing immense grief for her family and native country. Auderer, leaving the scene, engaged in what he termed "gallows humor" with a colleague, a coping mechanism for those frequently witnessing traumatic events. However, the conversation was recorded on his Body Worn Video Camera (BWV), making it public record and undermining the purpose of BWV to build public trust through transparency.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell supported Rahr’s decision, highlighting the importance of public trust in effective policing. He emphasized the necessity of accountability and continuous improvement within the police force. Harrell noted that the officer’s insensitive comments and behavior damaged the relationship between the Seattle Police Department and the communities they serve.

Rahr concluded that Auderer's "cruel comments and callous laughter" about Jaahnavi Kandula's death caused significant pain to her family and damaged public trust in the police. Kandula's family expressed their deep disappointment at the insensitive remarks, reaffirming the invaluable nature of every human life.

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