Praxis 177: Ben Stuckart & Rick Eichstaedt on Police, Process, and Spokane Scandal

Original air date: August 8, 2016 Host Taylor Weech attempts to summarize two-plus weeks of unfolding bizarre events out of Spokane's City Hall with help from Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart and Center for Justice Executive Director Rick Eichstaedt. Focusing on both the damning evidence gathered in investigator Kris Cappel's report on events surrounding Frank Straub, former police chief's behavior and the city's complicity in delaying action to address it, and last week's announcement from Mayor David Condon that he has appointed Craig Meidl as police chief without regard to process or public input, host and guests alike ponder the big question: "What the hell is even going on here?" Local listeners who wish to address Craig Meidl directly can do so in two upcoming public fora: Thursday, August 11th 6:00-8:00 PM at West Central Community Center and Wednesday, August 17th 6:00-8:00 PM at East Central Community Center. Spokane City Council will vote on his confirmation as chief at their meeting Monday August 22nd at 6:00 PM. Further reading recommended below, largely from Daniel Walters and Mitch Ryals at the Inlander, whose ongoing coverage has been thorough. http://www.inlander.com/Bloglander/archives/2016/08/01/craig-meidl-named-chief-of-spokane-police-department http://www.inlander.com/Bloglander/archives/2016/08/04/city-council-will-vote-on-craig-meidls-appointment-with-or-without-the-mayor http://www.inlander.com/Bloglander/archives/2016/08/01/why-one-cop-is-so-glad-the-straub-report-revealed-the-havoc-the-former-chief-wreaked-on-spd http://www.inlander.com/spokane/end-of-story/Content?oid=2847201 Liz Moore, director of Peace & Justice Action League of Spokane, letter to City Council regarding process: http://pjals.org/2016/08/1696/ Tim Connor, journalist at Rhubarb Skies and longtime police accountability advocate, writes a great summary of where recent events fit into the bigger picture here: https://www.facebook.com/PoliceAccountabilitySpokane/posts/1312700598760091:0 Doug Clark, commentator at the Spokesman-Review, offers a scathing review of Mayor Condon's choice of Craig Meidl: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/aug/03/doug-clark-condons-police-chief-pick-is-beyond-a-b/ More information about the Center for Justice at www.cforjustice.org.