DID SEATTLE POLICE OFFICERS MISUSE THEIR WEAPONS DELIBERATELY OR NEGLIGENTLY?
As part of their investigation, attorneys for Life has Meaning subpoenaed the Citys premier expert on the topic of less lethal weapons. The City determined that Sgt. James Dermody, a longstanding member of Seattles SWAT team, possessed more knowledge about less lethal weapons than any other City employee. Under questioning by the plaintiffs attorneys, Sgt. Dermody was presented with a list of the all the projectiles used by the police during the WTO demonstrations. When asked to describe what each projectile was designed to do, and how each should be properly fired, Sgt. Dermody refused to answer, saying that he could not provide accurate information without first studying the training manuals. [View a video showing Sgt. Dermody’s response to the questions.] (Real Player required) Copyright 2002 by Copwatch.com As a SWAT team member, Sgt. Dermody is answerable to emergency calls twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. At any moment, he might be called upon to use less lethal weapon
