US Cop Clarifies Controversial Comments About Indian Student’s Death

The Seattle Police Officers’ Guild has come forward in defense of one of its members who made insensitive remarks following the tragic death of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula earlier this year. The incident occurred when Officer Kevin Dave struck Ms. Kandula at a pedestrian crossing on January 23, 2023, while responding to a drug overdose call, driving at a speed exceeding 119 km/h.

In bodycam footage released by the Seattle Police Department, Officer Daniel Auderer was heard making callous comments about the deadly crash, downplaying any implication of Officer Dave’s fault or the need for a criminal investigation.

Auderer’s remarks in the video included, “Yeah, just write a cheque. USD 11,000. She was 26 anyway; she had limited value.” The Seattle Police Officers Guild issued a statement, defending Auderer, explaining that the video presents only one side of the conversation and lacks context.

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The guild also released a letter written by Officer Auderer in which he clarified his intent behind the comment, stating that it was intended as a mockery of lawyers. Auderer explained that he was imitating what a lawyer tasked with negotiating the case might say and was using sarcasm to convey that they shouldn’t come up with outlandish arguments to minimize compensation.

Auderer acknowledged that the comment, when taken out of context, could be perceived as horrifying and crude. He emphasized that he had no knowledge of the victim’s identity at the time and had no malicious intent. He expressed a willingness to accept reasonable discipline as deemed appropriate by accountability authorities.

The Seattle Police Officers’ Guild, in its statement, highlighted that viral videos of police actions shared by the media often fail to provide the full story and context. They expressed confidence in the civilian-led police accountability system known as the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) to conduct a thorough and fair investigation.

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Auderer had proactively sought rapid adjudication—a disciplinary process aimed at expediting police employee misconduct investigations—before the video’s release. He emphasized his commitment to transparency and accountability.

In response to the incident, an online petition has been launched, with thousands of signatures, seeking the termination of Officer Auderer. The petition urges authorities to prioritize community safety, take action against Auderer, implement stricter accountability measures within law enforcement, and provide comprehensive training on empathy, cultural sensitivity, and appropriate behavior towards victims and their families.

Seattle Council member Kshama Sawant called for an independent, public investigation into the matter and demanded the removal of Auderer and Mike Solan, President of SPOG, from the Seattle Police Department. Sawant also advocated for an independently elected community oversight with full powers over the police, including hiring and firing and the formulation of policies and procedures.