Nathaniel Smith: Was sued over rough treatment of suspects

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Friday, July 21, 2006

Nathaniel Smith: Was sued over rough treatment of suspects

By ERIC NALDER
P-I INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

King County sheriff's Deputy Nathaniel "Nate" Smith, 31, had been counseled and sued over rough treatment of suspects before he transferred to the Metro police unit last year.

Sgt. Don Davis, a defensive-tactics instructor, said about Smith in a 2003 interview with internal investigations on file with the department: "Ah, Nate had, in my opinion, a little bit more than his share of Use of Force incidents." But Davis said that Smith simply needed more training. He did not agree to comment further for this story.

Documents show that Sgt. John Urquhart, then Smith's Burien precinct supervisor and now the department's spokesman, had similar concerns. But in an e-mail on Tuesday, Urquhart told the Seattle P-I that he had only "minor worries" about an unspecified "type of control hold he was using" before handcuffing a suspect. He said Smith is a "good officer" who has no sustained disciplinary complaints against him.

Smith, a former Army Ranger and a Michigan native, joined the department in 2000 and was transferred to the transit unit last year. He lost his spot in transit when he briefly left the department for another job, and is now back in Burien. He did not respond to a telephone call seeking an interview.

Smith's personnel file wasn't available at deadline, but he and another officer were sued in federal court over a 2003 incident in the Burien area where they were accused of wrenching a domestic violence suspect's arms from behind so violently that he had to have rotator cuff surgery on one of his shoulders. The county settled with the man for $5,000 in February and Urquhart said Smith didn't do anything wrong.

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ABOUT THIS REPORT
This story is part of an ongoing investigation of the King County Sheriff's department. See more.

THE STORIES
Some transit unit officers are too aggressive, critics say Critics regard the King County Sheriff's transit unit as a dumping ground for problem deputies, and a bastion of tough guys who provoke confrontations. More deputies are on the job, but security remains elusive Security incidents reported by bus drivers are at their highest levels in recent years. Missed chance to end the violence? Federal prosecutors had a shot in 2002. Metro's transit trouble spots Where Metro bus drivers have reported the most security incidents over the past year.

CASE FILES
Five deputies whose behavior has drawn attention.: Joseph Abreu III Transferred into, then out of, transit unit Jeffrey R. Dixon Ex-girlfriend alleges stalking, harassment Bryan Anthony Hill 13-year veteran disciplined frequently Patrick 'K.C.' Saulet Object of 12 sustained complaints Nathaniel Smith Was sued over rough treatment of suspects

WHOM TO CONTACT
Here is contact information for public officials who can address issues raised in this series: Susan Rahr King County Sheriff's Office (206) 296-4155 susan.rahr@metrokc.gov Ron Sims King County Executive 701 Fifth Ave., Suite 3210 Seattle, WA 98104 206-296-4040 exec.sims@metrokc.gov