The Seattle Police Department has officially removed police officer Daniel Auderer from patrol duty following her insensitive remarks about the tragic death of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula. Jaahnavi, a student at Northeastern University in South Lake Union, lost her life in a collision with a police vehicle on January 23.
The investigation into Officer Daniel’s conduct began when a body camera recording surfaced, capturing her making callous comments about the value of Jaahnavi’s life, suggesting that the situation could be resolved by issuing a check. The release of this clip sparked international outrage, with politicians, lawmakers, and various organizations demanding Officer Daniel’s dismissal from the police service.
Earlier this month, Officer Daniel wrote a letter in her defense to the Seattle Police Officers Guild, stating that her comments were not intended to be malicious.
The incident involving a US police officer’s insensitive remark about the tragic death of an Indian-origin woman in a collision with a police vehicle has garnered significant attention. Members of the South Asian community residing in the United States staged a march at the accident site in Seattle, demanding justice for Janhvi Kundala. During the march, participants also had the opportunity to meet with Seattle’s mayor and other senior officials.
