Inslee Disavows Cousin's Facebook Posts

SEATTLE, WA — What started as an investigation into an offensive series of Facebook posts has now become a larger issue because of a personal connection to Gov. Jay Inslee.

The posts in question were shared on a Facebook account which says it belongs to King County Sheriff's Department Detective Mike Brown. The posts, as captured and shared on Twitter, appeared to mock two protesters who were hit by car Saturday morning. One of those protesters died, the second remains in the hospital. Another image posted by the same Facebook account made derogatory remarks about a young man killed in the Capitol Hill Organizer Protest last month.

As those posts gained attention on social media, Brown was placed on leave pending an investigation into his behavior.

"The employee was immediately placed on administrative leave and all his police powers have been suspended," wrote the sheriff's office. "Other Sheriff's Office employees who may have participated via reactions or comments on the posts will also be investigated."

But as Brown garnered attention, rumors swirled online that Brown was related to Inslee, which the governor confirmed Tuesday morning in a statement disavowing the posts, calling them "just flat wrong, particularly from a law enforcement officer."

The governor further addressed the issue at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

"We are in a moment where we have both a challenge of reducing racial inequity, and reducing police violence, this is a challenging moment," said Inslee. "It certainly was deeply disappointing to me that a relative of mine or non-relative of mine would put words on the internet that could fan the flames. That language is just simply unacceptable."

A spokesman for the sheriff's office said Brown, who has been with the county since 1980, is assigned to King County Executive Dow Constantine's protection detail. Constantine's office declined to comment on the incident, telling Patch, "This is a King County Sheriff's Office internal personnel matter and an open investigation." Constantine's Twitter account shared a similar sentiment Monday evening.

Related:

King County Detective On Leave After Facebook Posts Surface

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