SEATTLE — Multiple Seattle police officers are moving forward with a proposed class action lawsuit against the city, alleging they were exposed to carbon monoxide and other vehicle exhaust inside the West Precinct’s underground garage and nearby work spaces for years – a problem their attorney says could affect about 200 officers or more.
The West Precinct opened in 2000 and is a main police hub for downtown Seattle.
SEE ALSO | Seattle to pay $750K to settle race, gender discrimination lawsuit filed by SPD detective
The complaint names Sgt. Chad McLaughlin, Lt. Greg Fliegel, and Lt. Gabe Conrad as lead plaintiffs.
The suit alleges hundreds of officers and other personnel were exposed to unsafe levels of exhaust components while performing their duties over the years due to the precinct’s “Patrol Deck,” bullpen, and sergeants’ offices having inadequate ventilation while patrol vehicles idled in the enclosed garage.
According to the filing, Seattle police leaders knew or should have known about the hazard since at least 2015. The complaint cites internal emails in which leaders warned that unnecessary idling created “excess carbon monoxide in the garage,” and “is gonna get somebody hurt.”
The officers say the exhaust did not remain confined to the garage, with the complaint alleging fumes drifted into the bullpen and sergeants’ offices above, causing the named plaintiffs to suffer symptoms including severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath.
It also alleges officers were encouraged to prepare reports in running vehicles on the Patrol Deck because of safety concerns about ambushes outside.
The class action builds on a related case brought by Seattle Police Sgt. David Hockett.
In a May 2024 opinion, the Washington Court of Appeals said a jury found the Seattle Police Department and the City of Seattle liable for negligently exposing Hockett to car exhaust containing carbon monoxide at the West Precinct, and it affirmed the judgment in all respects except for a remand on attorney-fee findings for nonlawyer work.
The officer’s attorney, Sumeer Singla, said officers continue to report headaches, confusion, nausea, and breathing problems after working in the garage, and argued the city has not fixed the underlying ventilation problem.
He called it “a poisonous building” and said relatively simple measures, including large industrial fans, could improve airflow.
Singla said the case is intended to win relief for officers who say they were harmed while preparing for patrol. The complaint seeks class certification, notification of class members at the city’s expense, injunctive relief, damages, attorney fees, and costs.
Sgt. Patrick Michaud, an SPD spokesperson, wrote, “The Seattle Police Department takes the health and welfare of its officers seriously. Due to the pending litigation, we are unable to speak to these allegations. Please reach out to the City Attorney’s Office for any follow-up.”
SPOG President Kent Loux also wrote, “SPOG’s highest priority is the safety and well-being of our members in the workplace. We are actively monitoring this developing situation and will provide additional comment as appropriate.”
The Seattle City Attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
