I like cops. A lot. I think they're braver than many of us will ever be, putting themselves in situations we would never hope to be in.
But, of course, there are always some bad apples. I don't live in Seattle, so don't know whether there's a problem with the force there. So I do hope this is an isolated incident. Disgusting, but isolated.
The Police Department disclosed Friday that it has launched an internal investigation into the incident, in which the gang detective, Shandy Cobane, can be heard on video telling a man lying on a concrete sidewalk, "I'm going to beat the [expletive] Mexican piss out of you, homey. You feel me?"
The police have launched an investigation, and the officer who made those horrible remarks has apologized:
Friday night, a clearly distressed and tearful Cobane addressed the media.
"I know my words cut deep and were very hurtful," he said. "... I am truly, truly sorry." A 15-year veteran of the department, Cobane, 44, said he never dreamed he'd "bring such notoriety to my department. Sadly, I did." Apologizing to colleagues, the Latino community and Seattle, he said his "offensive and unprofessional" words did not reflect who he is.
Well, let's hope so.