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New York: A US cop who joked and laughed in a bodycam video about Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula\u2019s death by a police SUV this year, has been taken off patrol duty, police said.<\/p>\n
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) on Thursday confirmed that Officer Daniel Auderer \u201chas been administratively reassigned to a non-operational position\u201d, The Seattle Times reported.<\/p>\n
Auderer, a member of the SPD\u2019s traffic squad and vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, came under investigation over a clip from his body camera in which he is heard saying that Kandula\u2019s life had \u201climited value\u201d and the city should \u201cjust write a check\u201d.<\/p>\n
The video clip prompted international condemnation with leaders, lawmakers and advocacy groups calling for Audrer\u2019s dismissal from the police service.<\/p>\n
Defending himself in a letter to Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG) earlier this month, Auderer wrote that the comments were not made with \u201cmalice\u201d and hard heart.<\/p>\n
Stating that he \u201clamented\u201d Kandula\u2019s death, he wrote that it was unfortunate that her death would \u201cturn into lawyers arguing \u2018the value of human life\u201d.<\/p>\n
Following his letter, the SPOG issued a statement saying the conversation has been taken out of context and that Auderer, in a call with Guild President Mike Solan, was mocking attorneys who will try to put a price tag on the young woman\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
Last week, the Seattle\u2019s Community Police Commission recommended that the officer under investigation for joking about Kandula\u2019s death be placed on leave and his pay be withheld.<\/p>\n
The Seattle\u2019s Office of Police Accountability launched a probe on August 2 after an SPD employee, going through the body camera video for the investigation, was upset by the conversation and reported it to an SPD lawyer.<\/p>\n
Kandula, a student of Northeastern University campus in South Lake Union, was hit by a Seattle Police vehicle driven by officer Kevin Dave at a pedestrian crossing on the night of January 23.<\/p>\n
Auderer was assigned to see whether Dave was under any influence.<\/p>\n
The King County Prosecuting Attorney\u2019s Office is reviewing the case, considering whether to pursue charges against Dave.<\/p>\n
(IANS)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n