Seattle police Officer Cynthia Whitlatch was notified Monday she faces termination over the arrest of a 69-year-old African-American man who was carrying a golf club as a cane but she accused of wielding as a weapon, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Under department disciplinary procedures, Whitlatch will be given an opportunity to plead her case at a meeting in August with Police Kathleen O’Toole before O’Toole issues a final decision, according to one source.
An internal investigation into Whitlatch’s July 9, 2014, arrest of William Wingate sustained a variety of policy violations, including biased policing, another source said.