SPOKANE, Wash. - One day after a man was shot and killed by Spokane Police Officers, many are asking if deadly force was necessary.
Jacob Dorfman, 52, was shot and killed by SPD at Huckleberry's on the South Hill after he led police on a long and dangerous pursuit early Tuesday morning.
Dorfman was no stranger to law enforcement. Dorfman has been in trouble with the police for various crimes such as assaulting an officer to forging checks.
Many are now left asking if deadly force was necessary. Some are also asking if there are checks and balances in place that are being adhered to.
The city does contend that there are plenty of checks and balances in place. The Use Of Force Commission was asked by the mayor to view the SPD's use of force policies on a holistic level, than report on how to make those policies, and the department better. The final report is supposed to be submitted to the mayor by the end of the month.
Per protocol, the next check and balance would be to have the Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team investigate the case. At the end of the criminal investigation, the county prosecutor would investigate the case and than decide whether to press charges.
If charges are not filed, the Internal Affairs investigation would begin. This is put into place to decide if officers followed appropriate policy and procedures when responding.
The Ombudsman, who is independent from the police department is limited, because, he can not independently investigate the case. However, that is able to be changed under Proposition One. Proposition One is a proposal for a newly-created Ombudsman Commission who would have independent investigatory powers that would allow them to conduct there own investigation into the actions of officers. In both cases the Ombudsman has no authority to determine discipline and or criminal charges.
The prosecutor handles criminal charges, and the chief handles discipline.
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