Seattle interim Police Chief Sue Rahr has terminated Officer Daniel Auderer due to his inappropriate remarks and callous laughter concerning the death of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student who was struck and killed by a police vehicle in January 2023. The termination follows the release of body-worn camera footage capturing Auderer’s comments, which were deemed derogatory and damaging to public trust.
On January 23, 2023, Kandula was fatally hit by a patrol vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave. The footage released eight months later showed Auderer making insensitive comments about Kandula’s death, including referring to her life as having “limited value.” These remarks sparked widespread outrage, particularly within the South Asian community, and led to public protests in Seattle and India.
Chief Rahr’s decision to fire Auderer was conveyed in an internal memo, where she emphasized the significant impact of his comments on community trust and the department’s reputation. Rahr stated that the officer’s actions brought shame to the Seattle Police Department and undermined its credibility.
Auderer, who was also a vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, argued that his comments were intended to mock potential legal arguments, not to reflect his personal views on Kandula’s death. The Seattle Police Department’s disciplinary action report, recommending Auderer’s termination, cited violations of the department’s standards and bias-free policing policies.
The King County Prosecutor’s Office decided not to press charges against Officer Dave, citing insufficient evidence to prove impairment or reckless driving. The Seattle Police Department’s Office of Police Accountability had previously recommended Auderer’s termination after finding violations in his conduct.
Perspective 1:
The Firing Decision is Justified
The Seattle interim Police Chief, Sue Rahr, justified the termination of Officer Daniel Auderer by highlighting the severe damage caused to public trust due to Auderer’s comments and behavior. The comments were seen as dehumanizing and disrespectful, contributing to significant public outrage and a loss of faith in the police department. The police chief emphasized the need to uphold high standards and maintain public trust
Perspective 2:
The Officer’s Intent Was Misinterpreted
Officer Auderer claimed that his comments were intended as a mockery of lawyers, not a reflection of his actual feelings towards the victim. He suggested that his remarks were sarcastic and aimed at criticizing how lawyers might handle the case, not to express genuine disdain for Kandula’s life.