Wash. Court of Appeals published opinion — 850661.pdf

Citation: Wash. Court of Appeals published opinion — 850661.pdf
Jurisdiction: Washington (state)
Source verification: official_capture_completeness_unverified
Original Source: https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/850661.pdf ↗

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I’ve worked in this precinct for 17 years and have medically
documented ailments I see are listed as symptoms of short/long term
CO exposure. My doctors have always been stumped as to the
cause. I’d like to figure out if the 40+ idling patrol cars and lack of
ventilation have been the culprit the whole time.

Lt. Kibbee replied, “I am sure Steve Redmond will make all of the facts known

when complete.”

In September 2017, an L&I inspector issued a report concluding that SPD

had not violated any workplace safety laws regarding CO levels in the West

Garage. But the report recommended that SPD (1) upgrade its ventilation system

because it “does not appear to provide adequate air exchanges to ensure

employee exposure to vehicle exhaust is kept to a minimum” and (2) prohibit

officers from completing reports in their vehicles in the West Garage.

Dissatisfied with the lack of transparency from his superiors about the car

exhaust issue and the lack of any meaningful solution, Sgt. Hockett placed his own

CO monitors throughout the West Garage. Additionally, in October 2017, Sgt.

Hockett asked an Idleright representative whether it was safe for multiple vehicles

equipped with the device to be left running all day in the enclosed West Garage,

to which the representative responded that the device was “not intended to be used

in the manner you describe.” This e-mail was eventually forwarded to Assistant

Chief Wilske, who e-mailed Sgt. Hockett’s supervisors commanding them to

“insure that Sgt Hockett knows that he is not an authorized [SPD] representative

4
For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.
No. 85066-1-I

to be contacting a vendor and questioning them, and that any further safety