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...
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...
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, ...
Political group hosts First Amendment rally in Pullman
EMMA LEDBETTER, Evergreen reporter
September 20, 2020
About 20 individuals gathered for a First Amendment rally hosted by the political group Patriot Prayer on Saturday afternoon at Reaney Park. Participants gathered to object to the Pullman Police Department’s enforcement of Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 restrictions, according to the group’s ...
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...
Police committee to host open forum discussing policies, community concerns
LOREN NEGRON, Evergreen reporter
August 28, 2020
The Pullman Police Advisory Committee is organizing a Black Lives Summit in November allowing the community to voice its concerns to the Pullman Police Department. Pullman PD will communicate what its policies are during the summit. This includes sharing changes the department is trying to make in cons...
Pullman police now writing tickets for COVID-19 social distancing violations
JENAE LAXSON, Evergreen reporter
August 27, 2020
The Pullman Police Department will immediately issue fines to people not following social distancing guidelines instead of providing warnings. People hosting large parties are choosing to ignore the information provided by police, said Pullman Police Cmdr. Jake Opgenorth. Warnings and education did n...
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 ...
Councilmembers approve technology updates for police
SYDNEY BROWN, Evergreen reporter
August 19, 2020
Editor's Note: Coverage from the Aug. 11 meeting is included at the bottom of the article. Pullman City Council approved an agreement with Axon Enterprise to provide and update body-worn cameras, in-car cameras and other technology services for the Pullman Police Department during its meeting Tue...
Local BLM activists, police chief respond to memo about march for racial equality
LOREN NEGRON, Evergreen reporter
July 3, 2020
A local Black Lives Matter group criticized a memo by Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins, stating it mischaracterized the organization and discouraged people from attending its march on June 12. The Palouse in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter sent a letter to the Moscow-Pullman Daily News on June 18 clarifyin...
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...
