The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board Thursday canceled an upcoming use-of-force training for its enforcement officers, after learning a former Minnesota police officer who shot and killed Daunte Wright in 2021 was contracted to lead it.

The agency had contracted with Kim Potter to have her “tell her story” and train its officers on the ramifications of using force, along with ways to avoid it, said spokesperson Brian Smith. The officers are responsible for enforcing liquor, cannabis and tobacco laws at businesses licensed to sell those products.

Potter — who shot Wright, an unarmed Black man, after mistaking her gun for her Taser — served 16 months in prison for second-degree manslaughter before she was released in 2023.

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    218 days ago

    Meanwhile, Imran Ali — the former assistant Washington County prosecutor in Minnesota who had initially charged Potter — accused the board of canceling its training to avoid public scrutiny, fumbling an opportunity for Washington law enforcement officers to learn from Potter’s mistake. Ali came up with the idea to partner with Potter on the training, which they would have led together.

    Prosecutor demonstrating to the local cops that he’s on their side when they kill people to keep a good relationship to ensure cooperation on future cases.