Bellevue Police Investigation into Off-Duty Officers' Behavior Under Review

Police Chief Linda Pillo expects to decide after Nov. 9 whether any policy violations were committed by three off-duty Bellevue Police officers who were reportedly throw out of a Seahawks game after being unruly and confrontational, according to a press release by the Bellevue Police Department.

The department's Office of Professional Standards conducted the administrative investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior at a Seahawks game in September involving three Bellevue Police officers. The administrative investigation was completed on Nov. 1, according to the police department.

The officers, two men and one woman -- and another woman who was not an Bellevue Police officer -- reportedly littered and then taunted an on-duty Seattle Police officer outside CenturyLink Field at the Sept. 16 Seattle Seahawks game, according the Seattle Police Department. 

Then they reportedly were thrown out of the game after a confrontation with another fan. That fan told the Seattle Times that one of the women in the group warned him not to get pulled over in Bellevue.

Pillo has requested her command staff to have their recommendations to her by Nov. 9, and then she will review the case and their recommendations, according to a press release by the police department.

During her review, Pillo will decide if the officers violated any policies and, if so, what discipline will be imposed.

The officers would have a right to a Loudermill hearing, which means that the officers would have due process and would be able to present their views on the incident and on the proposed discipline. Information will be released when the entire process is complete, according to the Bellevue Police Department.

Bellevue police officers have been under investigation by the Bellevue Police Department for off-duty behavior, after Seattle police say that several officers taunted a police officer outside the stadium after she asked them to pick up a cup that one of them dropped, according to a story first reported by the Seattle Times.

Seattle police Assistant Chief Jim Pugel told the Times that two members of the group identified themselves as Bellevue police officers and taunted the Seattle officer, as well as several others who came to back her up. The officers were not arrested nor any report written because no crime was committed, according to the Seattle Police Department.

The fan who reported the officers being thrown out of the game said the group --- two men and two women --  arrived late and talked about the incident that occurred outside the stadium.

The fan approached the group to ask the officers to stop using expletives to describe the game. The fan said one of the women in the group warned him to not get pulled over in Bellevue.

The fan reported the officers' behavior to the CenturyLink ushers, and the group was escorted from the building. He also reported the incident to Bellevue Police, and said that he was contacted by the department's Office of Professional Standards.

Pillo told the city council last month that the department hoped to "reassure the public that improper off duty behavior will not be tolerated and it will provide an avenue for professional improvement."

"I share your concern about the reported actions of these officers. These incidents have been embarrassing and disheartening," she said.