It will be key in coming campaigns to remind voters that Mayor Paul Schell may have dozed at the wheel while possible opponents are awake to the tiniest details. Mike Edwards of the Seattle Police Officers Guild thinks the whole thing is more than a bit silly, not to mention redolent of political motive. On Friday, he explained that the SPD already has a policy in place that name tags and serial numbers be displayed on hats and helmets. In a few cases, those slickers covered up an officer's name badge. Meanwhile, most of the SPD's finest stood in the rain, names and all, getting soaked.
Policy also provides more tags to be issued so names can be visible on outerwear.
And new ID helmet covers have been issued, too. Not only that, but officers are disciplined if they fail to identify themselves on request. In other words, Edwards says, the idea that this is a pressing problem is bogus. A bit of political posturing without legitimate purpose. What's worse, Edwards claims, is the council writing policy via ordinance for the Police Department.