Perspectives on Reform Community Police Commission

Perspectives on Reform

Seattle Community Police Commission and Community Members Raise Alarm Over the Validity of Seattle Police Use of Force Data

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Last week, the Federal Consent Decree Monitor, Dr. Antonio Oftelie, disclosed to the Seattle Community Police Commission (CPC) that Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) Use of Force data omitted certain data points due to a malfunction. This defect confirms community member’s concerns regarding missing data points that were raised at the last CPC Community Engagement meeting. The CPC can now confirm community’s suspicions regarding SPD data and questions the validity of all SPD data and previous reports including assessments from the federal Monitor, which are based on data from SPD.

“Accurate, reliable, and relevant data is an important tool in police accountability,” said Brandy Grant, Executive Director of the Seattle Community Police Commission. “However, the data presented in the Use of Force Preliminary Assessment does not reflect the experiences and realities of Black, Indigenous, and communities of color, in their interactions with police. Simply put – this data set is not accurate.”

Concerns about data validity underscore larger issues, namely that SPD manages its own data and conducts its own self-reporting, as well as how the Federal Monitor has been overly dependent on SPD data.

The CPC recommends an independent body for SPD data management to improve transparency and trust with the community.

At the most recent CPC Community Engagement meeting, Dr. Oftelie presented the Federal Monitoring Team’s Use of Force Preliminary Assessment. Even before Dr. Oftelie disclosed the SPD data malfunction, community members raised questions about the data’s validity, such as:  

  • “How are we ensuring that this data is reliably and consistently captured?”
  • “Does this data come from SPD Use of Force Reports? Was there any effort to collect independent data to verify the accuracy of the data?”
  • “Why should community trust these SPD stats?”
  • “If the Monitor audited the data, why is that not covered in the assessment?”

In addition, community members highlighted SPD’s disparate use of force on African Americans and that SPD officers reported “unknown race” for 33% of subjects. The incomplete race data reflects systematic issues that must be addressed.

By painting an inaccurate picture of the realities of communities who are disproportionately impacted by policing, the Monitor and SPD are losing sight of a key goal of police accountability. Further, by relying on inaccurate race data and while prematurely pushing end the Consent Decree, the Federal Monitor and SPD are dismissing the real harm and impact of Seattle policing on communities of color. This only creates further distrust between police and community and brings the City no closer to police accountability.

We call on the Federal Monitor and SPD to answer the following questions:

  • How long has the data malfunction persisted?
  • When was it first discovered? Was there a delay in informing community and why?
  • How will the malfunction be resolved? How will this scenario be prevented in the future?
  • What is the timeline for solving the SPD data defect?
  • Will the Federal Monitor update past reports? And how will transparency increase?
  • How will the Federal Monitor and SPD restore meaningful trust with the community?

We invite the Federal Monitor and SPD to a special CPC Meeting to create space for community to ask questions and share their concerns on the SPD data malfunction.

The Seattle Community Police Commission is committed to listening to, amplifying, and building common ground among communities affected by policing. The Commission champions policing practices centered in justice and equity.

2022 Washington State Legislative Police Accountability Scorecard

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In March, the Washington State Legislature completed its 60-day session with disappointing outcomes for police accountability. House Bill 2037, which allows police officers to use force against individuals fleeing a stop, passed through both houses and was signed by Governor Jay Inslee.

“The 2022 Washington State Legislative session rolled back the police accountability reform wins from the previous year. The passage of HB 2037 will harm youth and communities of color, by allowing officers to escalate a situation by running after an individual and using force against them. Rather than creating and building trust with communities, this will cause further division with law enforcement.”    

Douglas Wagoner, Seattle Community Police Commission Co-Chair

The Seattle Community Police Commission created the 2022 Washington State Legislative Police Accountability Scorecard to track bills that will impact policing.

Highlights

Bill NumberDescriptionStatusCPC’s Stance and Analysis
ESHB 2037Modifying the standard for use of force by peace officers.Passed and signed by Gov. Inslee.Opposed – The bill undermines the progress made in the 2021 legislative session by allowing officers to use force against individuals who -they determine to be fleeing from a Terry Stop. Terry stops have disproportionately impacted black and brown communities.
HB 1719Concerning use and acquisition of military equipment by law enforcement agencies.Passed and signed by Gov. Inslee.Supported – The bill clarifies that police departments can acquire and utilize 40mm shotguns for less-lethal munitions. While CPC supported the clarifying aspects of this legislation we want to state, unequivocally, that non-violent de-escalation techniques can, and should, be used far more frequently.
SHB 1735Modifying the standard for use of force by peace officers.Passed and signed by Gov. Inslee.Supported – The bill clarifies that officers are allowed to respond to mental health calls. While the CPC supported this legislation we still want to emphasize that Washington state must create and prioritize non-law enforcement responses for behavioral health and mental health incidents.
ESB 5919Concerning the definition of “physical force,” “necessary,” and “totality of the circumstances,” and the standard for law enforcement authority to use physical force and providing the authority for a peace officer to engage in a vehicular pursuit when there is reasonable suspicion a person has violated the law and the officer follows appropriate safety standards.)Did not pass the Senate Committee on Rules.Opposed – This legislation would have lowered the standards from probable cause to reasonable suspicion that a person in the vehicle has committed or is committing a crime for officers to initiate a vehicular pursuit. Vehicular pursuits are notoriously dangerous and lowering standards for when an officer can initiate a pursuit makes them more likely occur.

For the complete scorecard, click here.

For the upcoming 2023 Washington State Legislative session, the Commission is committed to amplifying the voices of our community in police accountability and reform across Washington State. The Commission has identified six main areas we’ll be fighting for in the next legislative session:

  • Allowing individuals to hold officers accountable for their actions
  • Prohibiting traffic stops for certain traffic violations
  • Banning tear gas in Washington State
  • Statewide changes to increase accountability
    • Remove arbitration as a route of appeal for misconduct related discipline
    • Remove accountability provisions from the bargaining process
  • Funding for law enforcement related case studies and research
    • Case study on mental health response methods
    • Research on best practices for community-based oversight organizations
    • Police data collection processes
    • Case study on establishing a unified court system in Washington
    • Research on methods to share outcomes with communities
  • Establishing alternative responses to non-law enforcement related community needs

As the 2022 legislative session closes, the Commission is extending its gratitude to Rep. Jesse Johnson (D-Federal Way). In 2021, Rep. Johnson championed police accountability and led the passage of HB 1310 and HB 1054, which defined and limited officer’s use of deadly force and banned the use of chokeholds, no-knock warrants, and the use of tear gas.  

Learn More and Get Involved!

The Community Police Commission will be hosting a Community Engagement meeting Tuesday, May 10, 6 – 8:00 p.m. The State Legislative Advocacy workgroup will present a summary of the 2022 State Legislative Session and hear feedback and issues that community will like the Commission to pursue in 2023. Click here to register for the Community Engagement meeting. 

Become a Commissioner!

Applications to become a CPC commissioner are open! To apply please submit the following:

  • A resume or bio
  • Cover letter describing your interest, number of hours you would be able to commit to CPC-related work per month, and relevant experience
  • A state of commitment to attendance and full participation in the work of the commission.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, please submit your application to OCPC@seattle.gov

Click here for more information on Commissioner responsibilities, selection process, and criteria.

The Seattle Community Police Commission is committed to listening to, amplifying, and building common ground among communities affected by policing. The Commission champions policing practices centered in justice and equity.

CPC statement following revelations about SPD’s Proud Boy ruse

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Today, the Seattle Community Police Commission released the following statement regarding revelations about the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) Proud Boys ruse during the 2020 protests and the subsequent Office of Police Accountability (OPA) investigation:

“We, Seattle’s Community Police Commission, write to condemn the Seattle Police Department’s decision to falsely claim—at the height of the protests against George Floyd’s murder—that armed groups of white nationalists were marching towards protestors. This lie, which came one day after a protestor was shot, was irresponsible, unprofessional, unethical, and unacceptable. It almost certainly escalated tensions in the CHOP/CHAZ, impacted other City departments, had a chilling effect on free speech, and, in hindsight, raises the specter of the six SPD officers who participated in the January 6 attempted coup. The officers responsible for and involved in this ruse must be held accountable, far beyond the recommendations of the OPA investigation, which sustained findings only for two police supervisors—both of whom are no longer with SPD—and none of the other four officers who were involved.

In 2018, a Seattle resident died by suicide after he was the target of an SPD ruse. After that incident, OPA recommended improved training for SPD officers; clearly those efforts were insufficient. Mayor Harrell and the City Council must work together to pass robust accountability legislation that prevents officers from using ruses in our City.

The fact that this investigation was completed in September 2021 but not released until December 30, 2021 is concerning in and of its own. It raises questions about why no one in SPD exposed the ruse earlier, why OPA delayed the release of its investigation, how that delay negatively impacted the outcomes and potential findings that could lead to officer discipline, and broader concerns about the recent announcement that OPA Director Myerberg has been appointed Public Safety Director in the Harrell Administration.”

Where Seattle’s mayoral candidates stand on 10 critical police accountability issues

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Seattle CPC Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire.

Seattle’s next mayor will be tasked with leading our city through complex police accountability issues – from helping negotiate a new police contract to hiring Seattle’s next police chief. The Seattle Community Police Commission (CPC) asked both candidates 10 questions, each covering a different topic in police accountability. Here are their answers.

1) What must be done to strengthen or improve Seattle’s police accountability system? What is working well? What is not working?

Lorena González

In this civil rights moment, we must do more than reform, we must transform the system in a way that will ensure Black, brown, and Indigenous parents don’t fear that their kids won’t come home tonight.  That work begins with the SPOG contract negotiations. Our next contract should modify or eliminate arbitration to uphold discipline, including termination. It should ensure rules aren’t stacked against victims of police brutality and allow us to get rid of bad cops once and for all. And no city money should be going to SPOG President Mike Solan.

Bruce Harrell

While I believe reforms that I have led on, from body cameras to Seattle’s first bias-free policing law, have been impactful in improving performance and accountability of SPD, it’s clear more work needs to be done. Officers must be held accountable for misconduct and excessive use of force – and that accountability comes from more timely misconduct investigations, public transparency and meaningful discipline when appropriate. Though bias has been reduced, it has not been eliminated. At the root of these issues is the need for culture change. We need better responses to individuals in crises and more culturally-competent, community-driven officers serving Seattle.

2) Since 2018, the Seattle Police Department has implemented less than 1/3 of recommendations made by Seattle’s civilian-led police accountability system — the Community Police Commission, Office of Police Accountability, and Office of Inspector General. Do you believe these agencies need more authority to ensure their recommendations are implemented?

Bruce Harrell

More important than the number of recommendations implemented is the quality and impact they make on improving public safety, building public trust, and timely, open, and honest communication with all accountability partners around where those recommendations are in process (timeline for consideration, roadblocks to implementation, etc.). CPC, OPA, and OIG must understand how their feedback is received and what avenues are available at decision impasses. Ultimately the Mayor and City Council must use the power of their governing bodies to add teeth to critical improvements recommended to ensure all accountability partners’ work and input is valued and put on an action path.

Lorena González

Yes, I support further empowering our civilian-led agencies to exercise oversight over the police department.

3) Are current police union contracts an obstacle to meaningful police accountability? Are you committed to ensuring, at a minimum, that Seattle’s next police contracts allow for full implementation of the 2017 Accountability Ordinance?

Lorena González

Yes and yes.

Bruce Harrell

While my opponent was the chief negotiator for the last SPOG contract, I understand she now opposes the agreement she arranged. The last contract allowed us to make some important changes, but, as with any negotiation, it left room for improvement. I sponsored and passed Seattle’s first anti-bias police law and championed body cameras, which were mandated in that contract. State reforms to policing will give the Mayor a stronger hand in negotiating the next contract, and I’m prepared to bring my long record of experience in this field and as a negotiator to support these efforts.

4) The next mayor will be charged with appointing a Chief of Police. What type of candidates will you be looking for, and how will you involve the CPC and our community at large in that process?

Bruce Harrell

I’ve been involved in the hiring of the last two chiefs, and, as mayor, will bring unmatched experience to the search process. The community and members of the CPC must be involved to ensure we hire the right person. I commit that the CPC will have the opportunity to seat at least two representatives on the search committee as part of the process. We need a chief who reflects our values and shares our commitment to culture change and reform. We will run a fully comprehensive search and an open and transparent process, looking both within the department and nationwide to identify the next chief.

Lorena González

I’m looking for a chief who shares my vision for fundamentally re-imagining policing in our city and holding officers accountable to the highest standards. I know that the CPC and our community at large shares this vision, and they will be heavily involved in helping select a chief that will be committed to true public safety for all in our city, where our Black, brown, and Indigenous communities do not have to fear becoming victims of police violence.

5) The next mayor will also appoint the next director of the Office of Police Accountability. Do you believe the OPA is heading in the right direction and what type of candidate will you be looking for to fill that role?

Lorena González

While I believe that the OPA has a solid foundation, I have concerns that it may be too accommodating to the side of law enforcement’s perspective. I would like to see the agency be further empowered and appoint a director that takes community perspectives more into account.

Bruce Harrell

The next director of OPA must be willing to have a strong hand in ensuring independent, impartial, thorough, and transparent investigations into misconduct and excessive use of force, which is difficult to do with SPD-employed sworn officers on their team. They must understand and be willing to use all the disciplinary tools available to them at the conclusion of a case, and be willing to follow, document, and explain the facts in making findings. Ideally, the next director would also be more strongly connected to CPC to ensure members understand how critical cases are progressing and how conclusions were drawn. 

6) Are unvaccinated police officers a threat to public safety? How should the Seattle respond to officers that refuse vaccinations?

Bruce Harrell

As we exceed the 1.5 year mark for this pandemic, it’s clear that vaccinations are the most effective tool we have for reducing the spread and impact of the pandemic. I fully support the current mandate – any officer not able to get vaccinated should be moved to a non-public facing role, and any officer not willing to be vaccinated should be let go. Public safety requires an embrace of public health, and we need our police officers and public employees to understand that critical connection.

Lorena González

The city of Seattle should enforce its vaccine mandate and make it clear that officers who are unvaccinated cannot work here. Unvaccinated police officers, working on the front lines, compromise the safety of their co-workers and our residents. This is an unacceptable consequence that defies their oath to protect our community. Under my administration, we will hold officers accountable when they refuse to comply with public health orders and stand up to the Seattle Police Officers Guild when they engage in tactics that undermine our collective safety.

7) Is the consent decree an effective mechanism for ensuring police accountability?

Lorena González

I’m increasingly concerned about the fact that the city effectively is now required to vet most budget reductions to the court. This is not what the original consent decree envisioned and has been a hindrance for ensuring accountability.

Bruce Harrell

The consent decree is an important tool in our accountability efforts, but cannot ensure the level of accountability we need on its own – it’s a floor, not a ceiling. It was negotiated almost 10 years ago and dated in what we thought we needed from police accountability at that time. It’s imperative that we have strong leadership from the Mayor’s office, that we negotiate a new contract with the Guild centering accountability, and that we change SPD’s culture to reflect the world today. Without a high level of execution across all of these areas, we will not see the change we need for true public safety.

8) Does Seattle currently require police officers to do too many things that they are neither equipped or trained to do? Should we create civilian agencies to respond to specific situations rather than the police? If so, what situations?

Bruce Harrell

Yes, I strongly believe we need alternative responses in situations where an armed officer is not needed or could actually escalate a response, such as mental and behavioral health crises, nonviolent disputes, property damage reporting, and parking enforcement, allowing police to focus on calls they’re better equipped to address. We must invest in culturally-competent service providers and responders to fill alternate response roles, analyzing every situation involving a gun and badge to determine if armed officers are needed. We will develop a thoughtful model and system for well-calibrated and well-deployed emergency response teams to improve response times and ensure more effective outcomes.

Lorena González

Yes, we do require police officers to do too many things. I believe that we should scale up alternatives including community service officers to respond to handle non-violent crimes and have trained mental health counselors responding to situations where that is warranted. Sworn officers should be focused on responding to the most serious violent crimes.

9) Does Seattle spend too much on policing?

Lorena González

We spend too much on the criminal legal system. We’ve invested more every single year and we’ve seen rises in violent crime and murder rates over the past decade in spite of it. It’s time for a different approach.

Bruce Harrell

Seattle’s police spending should match our desired outcomes: effective response times and safe communities for every neighbor. I do not subscribe to the ‘defund the police’ narrative, in part because of my background in organizational management. You can’t blindly cut resources from an organization and then expect outcomes to improve. As we enact these new ideas and systems for response, build better upstream solutions, implement new training and reforms, invest in additional non-armed responses and community alternatives, we will look at the data and continue to review our police budget, spending what needs to be spent to ensure effective public safety.

10) Does Seattle spend enough on the LEAD program and other alternatives to law enforcement intervention? Have these programs been successful?

Bruce Harrell

I believe LEAD and other similar programs that provide alternatives to involvement with the criminal legal system are an important investment. There is incredible, lifesaving work being done by diversion programs and community-led organizations throughout our city that are a model for others, especially in historically marginalized or impacted communities. Working collaboratively with experts and practitioners, we will bring programs to scale that work, improve those not meeting goals and rethink approaches that are simply not working. We must ensure we’re seeing real progress from both new and existing programs, with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.

Lorena González

The LEAD program has been successful and am currently advocating that we increase their funding in this year’s upcoming budget. I support more funding for alternatives to law enforcement.

Seattle Public Safety Survey now open

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The Seattle Public Safety Survey is now open for community members to share their perception of crime and police interactions. The annual survey, conducted by Seattle University, collects information from community members that is then put into a report given to the Seattle Police Department with the hope of helping better respond to community concerns.

According to Seattle University, The survey is accessible from October 15th through November 30th and is available in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, English, Korean, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya and Vietnamese.

Community members are able to complete the survey by visiting publicsafetysurvey.org.

CPC statement on OPA investigation into the abandonment of East Precinct

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The Community Police Commission (CPC) is currently reviewing the Office of Police Accountability’s (OPA) investigation into the decision by Seattle Police officers to abandon the East Precinct. Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz and OPA Director Andrew Myerberg were already scheduled to attend Wednesday’s CPC meeting. We look forward to discussing this issue with them then.

Four years after passing unanimously, Seattle’s police Accountability Ordinance remains partially unimplemented largely due to police union contracts

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32 crucial provisions of the 2017 Accountability Ordinance remain unimplemented due to Seattle's police contracts.

The Seattle Community Police Commission (CPC) launched a first-of-its-kind public dashboard today tracking the implementation of the landmark 2017 Accountability Ordinance. The Accountability Ordinance Tracker shows that Seattle’s police contracts are the main reason the law has not been fully implemented.

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