Officer’s Inappropriate Comments
An investigation is underway following the emergence of body cam footage that shows a Seattle police officer making inappropriate comments about a woman who was fatally struck by a patrol car. Officer Daniel Auderer was responding to the incident in which 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula lost her life near her university.
Insensitive Remarks Recorded
In the video, Officer Auderer can be heard making insensitive remarks, suggesting that the life of the Indian student had “limited value” and that the city should simply “write a cheque” to address the situation. The officer has since claimed that his comments were taken out of context.
Tragic Incident Details
Jaahnavi Kandula, a graduate student at Northeastern University, tragically lost her life when she was struck and killed by a police car while crossing the street on January 23rd. According to a police investigation report cited by The Seattle Times, the officer driving the car was traveling at a speed of 74mph (119km/h), and the impact caused the graduate student’s body to be thrown more than 100ft (30m).
Officer’s Questionable Reaction
Officer Auderer’s body camera recorded audio from a call he made to a colleague in which he callously remarked, “But she is dead,” followed by laughter. He further commented, “No, it’s a regular person. Yeah, just write a cheque,” before laughing again and stating, “Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value.”
Investigation and Public Outrage
The Seattle Police Department initiated an internal investigation after an employee expressed concerns about the nature of Officer Auderer’s statements. The matter was subsequently referred to the Office of Police Accountability, the agency responsible for probing police misconduct. The investigation will examine the context in which the comments were made and whether any department policies were violated.
Controversy Surrounds Officer’s Explanation
Officer Auderer attempted to clarify his comments, stating that they were intended to mimic how city attorneys might seek to minimize liability in the woman’s death. However, the footage and remarks have sparked public outrage, with many finding them deeply insensitive and inappropriate. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is also conducting a criminal review of the tragic incident.
The bodycam footage has stirred emotions in the community, with local leaders and oversight agencies condemning the officer’s comments as “heartbreaking and shockingly insensitive.” The investigation will aim to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the incident and the officer’s remarks.
SOURCE: Ref Image from KOMO News
Whether writing about complex technical topics or breaking news stories, my writing is always clear, concise, and engaging. My dedication to my craft and passion for storytelling have earned me a reputation as a highly respected article writer.