Burien Mayor Schilling Responds to Police Officers' Grievance Letter

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May 6, 2024

"We are disappointed the Sheriff has unilaterally decided not to enforce a law passed by the democratically elected city council. We hope we can... get a path toward enforcement of our public camping ordinance and drug use laws." - K. Schilling

Mayor Kevin Schilling provided Burien-News a statement regarding the Letter from Burien Police Officers (see letter below):

The City of Burien is focused on getting folks off the street and into shelter and services. The City Council prioritizes treatment over tents, and public safety over politics.

The Burien City Council appreciates the work of the deputies and officers in protecting Burien. We understand they are in a difficult position while this political issue plays out.

Burien Police Officers are employed by the County Sheriff's Office and are Sheriff's Deputies. They are here to protect and serve our community every day. For years we've heard from the police about the short comings of county service providers and the need to get drugs and public camping under control. Then, with a council that wants to do that in place, we're now in this scenario where the Sheriff is not enforcing those laws.

A judge has not ruled that this law is unconstitutional, but instead, it falls squarely in line with federal requirements as well as in line with the argument of the administration of President Joseph Biden: that these laws are common sense and practical, and cities have the authority to put time, place, and manner restrictions on public camping.

We hope we can come together and find common ground and get a path toward enforcement of our public camping ordinance and drug use laws.

We are disappointed the Sheriff has unilaterally decided not to enforce a law passed by the democratically elected city council. And we look forward to the decisions of the courts.

Here is the full text of the letter from "officers of Burien Police Department": [originally published by Burien-News on May 4, 2024]:

Esteemed councilmen and women:

We, the officers of Burien Police Department, write to you today to express our extreme disappointment with the recent decision of the city to request removal of Ted Boe as the Chief of Burien PD.

Ted has been our chief for the majority of the last decade and has done nothing but improve this worksite for your city. In addition to significant drops in crime and increase in proactive activity, Ted has put Burien on the map as the premier agency for mental health alternatives to police interaction with our neighbors in crisis. He has motivated and developed officers in this city to the extent that, prior to this decision, Burien had the highest ratio of officers attempting to get into your contract than leave it countywide.

This action will result in the immediate transfer for request of countless years of experience from the city to more supportive organizations within our county. On top of this, nobody but the least senior deputies and sergeants will be forced to work in a place that does not support constitutional policing by their officers, which historically results in lower proactive policing and higher crime.

For all of these reasons, this letter serves as an express vote of no confidence in City Manager Adolfo Bailon and Mayor Kevin Schilling.

In the meantime, we will continue to pour our hearts and efforts into serving the citizens of Burien as long as we are still assigned here. Thank you to the rest of the community we serve for your continued support of our public safety efforts.

- (signed by Burien Police Officers)

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