The news report revealed that a Seattle police officer, Burton Hill, was fired for using racist and sexist slurs towards his Chinese American neighbor, Zhen Jin, in 2022. The incident occurred during an altercation over the disposal of dog bones at their condominium complex in suburban Seattle. The Seattle Office of Police Accountability recommended disciplinary actions ranging from a 30-day suspension to termination of employment. Hill was ultimately fired by then-police Chief Adrian Diaz on May 2nd. Efforts to reach Hill for comment were unsuccessful, and the former police chief was later removed from his post by Mayor Bruce Harrell amidst allegations of discrimination within the police force.
Audio obtained by The Stranger newspaper captured the confrontation between Hill and Jin, in which Hill can be heard making derogatory remarks towards women and East Asian people. Hill also repeatedly insulted Jin, threatening her with jail time. The OPA report, which included excerpts from the audio recording, found Hill guilty of two of the three allegations against him, relating to officer professionalism and bias-based policing. The third allegation, concerning the misuse of authority for personal gain, was inconclusive. Despite attempts to reach the Seattle Police Officers Guild and the Office of Police Accountability for comment, responses were not received.
The Chinese Information and Service Center, which launched an Anti-Hate and Bias program in 2020, commended Jin for filing a complaint against Hill. The Executive Director of the center, Michael Itti, praised Jin’s courage and stated that many individuals associated with the organization were pleased with the outcome. Itti emphasized the importance of the Police Department upholding its values of professionalism in response to incidents of discrimination and bias. In his statement to investigators, Hill acknowledged that the recording sounded like him, expressing regret for his words and stating that it made him sick to hear himself speak in such a manner.
The case involving Officer Hill highlights ongoing concerns about discrimination and bias within the Seattle Police Department. The incident has raised questions about the department’s commitment to addressing instances of racist and sexist behavior among its officers. The termination of Hill, along with the removal of former Chief Diaz, signals a need for accountability and reform within the police force. The involvement of community organizations, such as the Chinese Information and Service Center, in advocating against hate and bias is essential in holding law enforcement accountable for their actions. Moving forward, there is a push for increased transparency and accountability within the Seattle Police Department to ensure that incidents of discrimination are addressed promptly and effectively.
