Monthly Archives: November 2011

WSP Trooper Sues Own Agency

A Washington State Patrol trooper alleges that his own agency is discriminating against him because he’s white and a Mormon, and now is in the process of filing a law suit. In a recently-filed lawsuit, Stg. David Divis alleges the state patrol “took adverse employment action” against him based on his race and religion. The… Continue Reading »

Holiday DUI Patrols

The holiday season is finally upon us, and the following are some choice words from the Washington State Patrol via www.watikileaks.com as espoused over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend: (1) “We’re thankful for safe drivers! Please choose a safe ride home for yourself, family, and friends over the Thanksgiving weekend. Extra DUI officers will be out… Continue Reading »

Prosecutor DUI'd

According to the Washington State Patrol, Jim Hagarty, a Yakima County prosecutor arrested for Driving Under the Influence this past week, had breath test results of .106 and .109. The legal per se limit in Washington State is .08. Washington State Patrol troopers arrested Hagarty after he was allegedly involved in a rear-end collision Tuesday… Continue Reading »

Former Federal Prosecutor Blasts Marijuana Laws

John McKay, the unlikely champion of marijuana legalization, joked that he was about to be fed to lions. Then he walked on stage and tried to convince about 130 sheriffs and police chiefs that he was not crazy. For 90 minutes Wednesday, the former federal prosecutor from Seattle blasted drug laws as failed, antiquated policies… Continue Reading »

Seattle PD Detective Arrested After DUI Crash

A Seattle undercover police detective accused of rear-ending a car last Thursday afternoon while intoxicated was previously convicted of DUI in 1994, court records show. Records show that the detective, John Fox, was sentenced to a year on jail for the previous DUI – but he was freed after serving only one day in a… Continue Reading »

An Increase in Tribal Court Authority?

A high-level Justice Department official recently pushed for tribal courts to have more power in prosecuting non-Indians in domestic violence cases that arise on tribal land, saying the lack of authority has meant many serious crimes have gone unprosecuted. Tribal leaders, police officers and prosecutors say something must be done to stop the cycle of… Continue Reading »

Yakima Police Spending Tax Money on Booze

Records obtained by the Yakima Herald-Republic show the Yakima police officers suspended for spending more than $400 in tax money on beer for themselves tried to hide their alcohol purchases. When Yakima City Manager Don Cooper suspended Chad Urwin and Ryan Urlacher in October rather than firing them, he said the officers’ actions were likely… Continue Reading »

Criminal Activity on the Rise?

Small towns across the U.S. that are currently enjoying a boom in oil and gas drilling are also dealing with a sharp increase in drunken driving, bar fights and other spikes in alleged criminal violations. Some blame this increase on the influx of young men who find themselves with lots of money in their pockets… Continue Reading »