KENT, Wash. — The mayor of Kent has asked for one of her city’s top police officials to resign after he displayed a Nazi insignia on his door at the police department.
Assistant Police Chief Derek Kammerzell was suspended, but for Mayor Dana Ralph, it was not enough.
“This is honestly an issue that has rocked our community,” said Ralph.
According to city documents sent to KIRO 7, the display was discovered in September 2020. An investigation resulted in a two-week suspension of Kammerzell for violating city policies.
“It is clear that the process did not produce the results acceptable to our community, or quite honestly, me. Earlier this afternoon, I instructed the city attorney to reach out to the union’s attorney to ask for Derek Kammerzell’s resignation,” Ralph said.
Documents provided by local whistleblower group No Secret Police show that the investigation uncovered that a Nazi military insignia was on Kammerzell’s door above his name.
An online biography from the Kent Police Department says Kammerzell started his career with the department in 1994. Internal affairs documents said that some referred to him as the “German general.”
“While the council is extremely disappointed in the Assistant Chief Kammerzell’s conduct, we don’t believe his conduct reflects the culture of the Kent Police Department,” said Kent City Council President Bill Boyce.
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The documents also say that the Amazon Prime show “The Man in the High Castle” played a role.
The show is based on the idea that the Germans and Japanese — the Axis powers — prevailed in World War II.
A character in the show is called the German term for general or group leader. Apparently, Kammerzell watched the show and his nickname changed based on the basis of that character.
“The actions of the assistant chief, as unintended as they are listed, should be addressed with additional actions that include, but are not limited to, education and retraining for everyone at minimum,” said Kent Chamber of Commerce President Zenovia Harris.
Kent citizens and community leaders denounced Kammerzell, joining Jewish leaders in western Washington who denounced the symbol’s use.
KIRO 7 reached out to Kent Police, Kammerzell, the Kent Police Officers Association and its attorneys, since they represented Kammerzell during his disciplinary hearing, but has not heard back.
Documents from the investigation indicate that Kammerzell believed the symbol was just a part of a running joke, and he did apologize, but Ralph and others say he needs to go.
“I believe this is a necessary step to build trust within our city and across the region,” said Ralph.
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