Officer not punished for ‘inappropriate’ advice
LOREN NEGRON, Evergreen reporter
October 1, 2020
The Pullman Police Department decided to not discipline an officer who suggested people stay “out of sight, out of mind” during a large gathering that occurred last month on a WSU coach’s property. Officer Garrett Willis fined Kamie Ethridge, head coach for WSU women’s basketball team, on...
Policing needs to be reformed, criminology professor says
BROOKLYNN HILLEMANN, Evergreen reporter
September 30, 2020
The federal police budget has grown by nearly $193 billion since the 1970s, but the increase in funds resulted in an overworked police force and a lack of accountability, a WSU professor said. “Looking across history, we’ve seen police scholars and reformers all indicating that law enforcement...
Pullman Police review use of force policies
SYDNEY BROWN, Evergreen reporter
September 29, 2020
The Pullman Police Department will review its policies on use-of-force, with the police chief saying they are reconsidering the use of “chokeholds,” or vascular neck restraint, on suspects. Police Chief Gary Jenkins said the vascular neck restraint is non-lethal but can look worse than it i...
Dairy Center implements security measures for animals after calf was stolen
JENAE LAXSON, Evergreen reporter
September 23, 2020
After the recent theft of a 7-day-old calf, WSU’s Knott Dairy Center is restricting access to their animals. The WSU Police Department arrested Luke Wolfisberg, fraternity member of Phi Sigma Kappa and former employee of Knott Dairy Center, for second-degree burglary for allegedly stealing the ca...
WSU considers consequences for those who violate public health orders
SYDNEY BROWN, Evergreen reporter
September 22, 2020
As Pullman remains one of the COVID-19 hot spots, WSU officials are being pressured to amplify punishments for those who receive public safety infractions. The university does not want to pursue expulsive action against those who violate social distancing or are caught throwing large gatherings, said Phil Weiler, ...
WSU students’ attempt to return to normal is ‘fueling the epidemic’
EMMA LEDBETTER, Evergreen reporter
September 17, 2020
Despite local restrictions on social gatherings and WSU’s switch to distance learning, Pullman currently has the second greatest daily COVID-19 case average by population in the U.S. In the last 26 days, 924 cases were confirmed within Whitman County. Before that, there were 142 confirmed positive cases over an approximately five-mon...
Weekend sees dramatic rise in police calls about public safety violations
SYDNEY BROWN, Evergreen reporter
September 1, 2020
Pullman Police responded to at least 35 calls of social distancing and noise violations between Thursday and Sunday, according to police logs. Police officers issued a total of eight tickets over this time, said Police Chief Gary Jenkins. The other calls were determined not to violate social dista...
Advisory board to develop plan detailing WSU PD’s policy, procedural changes
LOREN NEGRON, Evergreen reporter
August 28, 2020
The WSU Police Advisory Board will meet virtually Sept. 8 to begin developing a Civil Rights Action Plan for the WSU Police Department. The Civil Rights Action Plan will include goals for implicit bias training. It will also detail several objectives for policy and procedural changes within WSU PD, sa...
Pullman PD suspends in-person operations due to COVID-19
JAYCE CARRAL, Evergreen news editor
August 26, 2020
The Pullman Police Department closed its in-person operations due to an increase of local COVID-19 cases. In-person operations like facility tours, citizen ride-alongs and some fingerprinting services are suspended until further notice, said Pullman Police Cmdr. Jake Opgenorth. However, operations ...
Police begin enforcing COVID-19 public safety regulations
MICHELLE PAREDES STRONG, Evergreen reporter
August 25, 2020
Pullman Police and WSU Police will enforce COVID-19 public safety regulations by requiring residents to wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid gatherings of over 10 people, following the safety regulations set by state and local health officials. Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins said in a ...
Whitman County judge releases regulations to prevent spread of COVID-19
BRADLEY GAMBLE, Evergreen reporter
July 1, 2020
Judge Gary Libey of the Whitman County Superior Court released safety regulations to be implemented in courtrooms to minimize possible exposure to COVID-19. The new regulations state any person who is sick or in quarantine will be unable to enter the courtroom, according to the courtroom safety order....
Pullman Police to enforce mask mandate with education, warnings
EMMA LEDBETTER, Evergreen reporter
June 26, 2020
A public health order from John Wiesman, Washington Secretary of Health, requires every individual in the state, starting today, to wear a face covering or receive potential penalties. Individuals who do not comply with the order could be charged with a misdemeanor under RCW 70.05.120, said Jessica ...
The Pullman Police Department decided to not discipline an officer who suggested people stay “out of sight, out of mind” during a large gathering that...
