Mayor Dana Ralph

Mayor Dana Ralph

Kent Mayor Ralph calls for resignation of assistant police chief

Wants Derek Kammerzell to resign over Nazi symbol incident after strong community response

Mayor Dana Ralph has called for the resignation of Kent Police Assistant Chief Derek Kammerzell after strong reaction from the community to just a two-week suspension for Kammerzell after he posted a Nazi insignia above his nameplate on his office door.

Ralph began the Kent City Council meeting Tuesday night with a statement about Kammerzell after news reports over the last several days revealed the incident that occurred in September 2020 and resulted in his suspension in July 2021.

“This is honestly an issue that has rocked our community over the past several days,” Ralph said about numerous media reports and first reported Dec. 30 by the Kent Reporter.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and its Jewish Community Relations Council earlier on Tuesday asked city officials to revisit the issue.

“The two-week suspension and sensitivity training given in response are completely inadequate, especially at a time when incidents of hate against the Jewish people are higher than they’ve been in almost 45 years,” according to a statement from the group. “The absence of true accountability demanded of Kammerzell and the sheer lack of consequences in this situation are shocking.”

Ralph said others also contacted her directly with concerns.

“While we are confident the city followed best practices by promptly investigating the conduct of Derek Kammerzell and imposing discipline, it is clear that the process did not produce the result acceptable to our community or quite honestly, me,” Ralph said as she read her statement.

Following an investigation by an outside law firm, Police Chief Rafael Padilla made the decision about the two-week suspension without pay, but gave Kammerzell the option to use vacation hours.

“Earlier this afternoon in consultation with the chief, I’ve instructed our city attorney to reach out to the union’s attorney and ask for Derek Kammerzell’s resignation,” Ralph said. “While there will be a cost associated with this, I believe that this is a necessary step to continue to build trust within our city and across the region.”

Kammerzell, who began his police career in Kent in 1994, said in an email to the Kent Reporter last week that he was “deeply embarrassed by this incident.”

The results of an investigation into Kammerzell’s actions and Padilla’s discipline report were released last week to a Kent group called No Secret Police, which filed a public disclosure request to get the documents. The group then emailed those documents last week to the media. City and police officials did not release any information to the public about the incident or suspension of Kammerzell last summer.

“I wish I could take it back,” Kammerzell said to the Kent Reporter. “I know now what that rank represents, and that is not what I value or who I am. The expectations for an assistant chief are, rightfully, incredibly high. I do my best every day to meet and exceed those expectations.”

Kammerzell denied to an investigator that he knew the symbol had a connection to Nazism. What Kammerzell posted represents the rank of insignia of an Nazi SS general called SS-Obergruppenfuhrer.

Ralph said she appreciated the community feedback.

“I want to say a heartfelt deep thank you to those of you who have reached out and shared your stories with me, your personal stories and the impact this has had on you and your families,” Ralph said. “The city and I have worked extremely hard in our anti-racist efforts and I don’t want to undo the great work that has been done. I believe that today’s actions reflect the values that we hold collectively as a city, as a police department and as a community and they show a commitment to make Kent a place where everyone feels welcome and heard.”

Ralph concluded with a few final words.

“It was a very tough decision but I believe it is the right one for our community and us moving forward,” she said.

After Ralph finished her statement, Council President Bill Boyce read a statement from the council.

“The council condemns racism in all forms and while the council is extremely disappointed in Assistant Chief Kammerzell’s conduct, we don’t believe his conduct reflects the culture of the Kent Police Department,” Boyce said.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Kent police investigate fatal two-vehicle collision

The collision killed a woman and left a 45-year-old Tacoma driver, suspected of intoxication at the time of the crash, hospitalized.

Competing for the 8th Congressional District: Carmen Goers, left, and Kim Schrier. COURTESY PHOTOS
Adam Smith and Kim Schrier will retain Congress seats | Election 2024

Smith represents the 9th Congressional District and Schrier represents the 8th Congressional District.

Courtesy of Democratic Caucus
Pictured left to right: Sen. Bob Hasegawa (D), Rep. David Hackney, and Rep. Steve Bergquist
Democratic incumbents in lead for 11th Legislative District

Bob Hasegawa, David Hackney and Steve Bergquist have strong leads, with Hasegawa and Hackney running unopposed.

Debra Entenman and Kyle Lyebyedyev. File photos
Entenman and Stearns lead in 47th District | Election 2024

The district includes Kent, Covington and Auburn.

File photo
Kent School District levy is failing at the polls | Election 2024

Early election results show voters rejecting the proposed Capital Projects and Technology Levy.

Larry Best, a customer coordinator for quality assurance who has worked at Boeing for 38 years, stands outside of Angel of the Winds Arena with a “vote no” sign on Monday in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists approve contract, ending 52-day strike

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Photos from the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington press release.
Kent man arrested in connection to violent drug trafficking gang investigation

Law enforcement seized more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 60 firearms, and more than $130,000 in cash.

Courtesy Photo, King County
Son accused of fatally shooting mother’s boyfriend in Kent back in jail

Dondre Butler has 3 violations in 13 months of electronic home detention after charged with murder in 2022

t
Kent Police targeted street patrols result in arrest of two felons

One driver spotted in a vehicle with no plates; another driver reportedly in a stolen vehicle

t
Kent cold case murder suspect back in state after governor’s warrant | Update

Kenneth Kundert fought extradition from Arkansas after August arrest in 1980 killing of Dorothy Silzel

t
City of Kent eyes November opening for Reith Road roundabouts

Two more roundabouts will bring total in city to six; three more in future plans