Seattle Police Chief Blamed in WTO Protests
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SEATTLE — Law enforcement experts hired by the mayor to determine what went wrong when massive protests disrupted last year’s World Trade Organization meeting say former Police Chief Norm Stamper should bear the brunt of the blame.
But in their report released Friday, the experts, R.M. McCarthy and Associates and Robert Louden, also pointed a finger at all government agencies involved in security planning.
More than 40,000 protesters mobbed Seattle during the WTO meetings Nov. 30 through Dec. 5. Overwhelmed police were unable to control the crowds, forcing the cancellation of opening ceremonies and leaving more than $2.5 million in vandalism and property damage downtown. More than 500 people were arrested.
“Chief Norm Stamper was virtually absent from any role of leadership or direction related to the preparation and planning for the World Trade Organization conference,” the report said, citing documents and interviews.
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