Just over one week into Mayor Tim Burgess’ term, he has signed his first executive order: creating an internal, civilian-run office to oversee secondary employment of off-duty police officers.
Continue readingTag: police accountability
Police accountability legislation gets stuck in the mud, thanks to the police officers’ union
“We had hoped that today would be the final thumbs up from Judge Robart to allow us to continue to move forward with the implementation of the accountability legislation,” said Council member Lorena Gonzalez this afternoon in a hastily-arranged press conference. “And obviously we did not get that final approval.” A hearing that began this morning with U.S. District Court Judge James Robart kindly joking with Gonzalez, Council member Tim Burgess, and SPD Deputy Chief Carmen Best quickly turned into an opportunity for all parties — and especially the judge himself — to vent their frustrations.
Continue readingBias-free policing bill comes up for final vote this afternoon (UPDATED)
This afternoon, the Council will vote on enacting a “bias-free policing” ordinance into law, with one last-minute amendment to settle an argument from last week.
Continue readingSPD responds to Council’s questions on death of Charleena Lyles
The Seattle Times has published a 45-page memo from SPD to the City Council, responding to the 34 questions they submitted following the death of Charleena Lyles at the hands of two SPD officers. The answers are lengthy, and for the most part defy quick summaries as they dive into the nuances and complexities of the situation. SPD also refuses in many cases to speculate on what the outcome of the ongoing investigation will be. But the memo is an interesting and informative read.
Continue readingBias-free policing bill passes out of committee
This morning, the Council voted out of committee an ordinance on bias-free policing, an effort almost a year in the making.
Continue readingPolice accountability legislation gets two thumbs up, needs one more
Today was the deadline for the DOJ and the current CPC to file comments with the District Court on the new police accountability legislation. They both did, and both recommended that the judge approve it.
Continue readingGonzalez to hold public hearing on shooting of Charleena Lyles
Yesterday afternoon, Council member Lorena Gonzalez announced that she would be hosting a “town hall forum” to discuss the killing of Charleena Lyles at the hands of two Seattle police officers last Sunday.
Continue readingPolice Observer Bill of Rights moving forward
Last August, Council member Herbold introduced a “Police Observer Bill of Rights” ordinance to clarify the rights of individuals to watch and record the interactions of police officers with Seattle residents. Based on some concerns that were raised, Herbold decided to “press pause” and work them out. This morning, a new version of the bill was deliberated in the Gender Equity, Safe Communities and New Americans Committee.
Continue readingCouncil debates structure and independence of police accountability system, but not really
Last Friday the City Council’s Gender Equity, Safe Communities and New Americans Committee met again to continue its deliberations on the proposed police accountability legislation. They considered amendments related to work plans, reporting, evaluations and budget. Threading through all of that was a recurring theme of “independence” and freedom from political pressure. But that wasn’t really what they were talking about.
Continue readingCouncil continues deliberations on police accountability, tackles budget issues
The City Council had a two-part conversation this morning on the proposed police accountability legislation, passing an “omnibus” amendment that incorporated consensus views from their last discussion, and beginning discussion of the complex budget issues.
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