This is the Seattle Community Police Commission's weekly newsletter. We know keeping up with all the news about police reform can be hard. So every week, we'll give you a digestible dose of it delivered right to your inbox.

Federal Judge to weigh in on Seattle's compliance with Consent Decree

This comes after he expressed concerns about the effect recently passed police contracts could have on the city’s police accountability system. Those effects were highlighted in a brief filed by the Community Police Commission in February.

He has scheduled a status conference for May 15 at 11 am.

• Seattle Times: New Seattle police-union contract approved despite community outcry that it could undermine reforms

• New York Times: To Reform the Police, Target Their Union Contract

Seattle relaunching Community Service Officer Program

The Seattle Police Department will hire 12 new Community Services Officers (CSOs). These will be the first CSOs since the 33-year program was ended in 2004 because of budget cuts.

Under the plan, these will be non-commissioned officers who are trained to support SPD's community policing strategies. They will help people involved in non-criminal calls navigate services and provide support programming for at-risk youth.

"These unsworn officers can prioritize non-emergency community services associated with law enforcement, freeing up police officers to better respond to 911 calls," said Councilmember Lisa Herbold.

The CPC will be reviewing the police department's plans for this program and making sure they line up with community values and expectations.

Read the Seattle Medium story here.

Police watchtower not coming to West Seattle, yet

A blog reported last week that a SkyWatch tower like this one was going to be coming to West Seattle. SPD says that was premature and the watchtower actually hasn't been approved for that location.

The CPC is gathering information about the uses of the tower and the way SPD is reaching out to the community prior to putting it up. We'll be sharing that work with you shortly.

Local News

• KUOW: A homeless man steals clothes from a Seattle Goodwill, goes to jail. His story isn’t unusual

• Seattle Times: From homelessness to jail and back: King County tries to halt cycle

• Seattle Medium: Former SPD Chief John Diaz To Oversee Detention At King County

7 key takeaways from OPA's 2018 Annual Report

7 takeaways from Seattle OPA's 2018 Annual Report

The Seattle Office of Police Accountability (OPA), the civilian-led organization with the power to investigate policy and legal violations by Seattle Police employees, released their 2018 Annual Report Friday.

National News

• USA Today: Florida deputy under investigation after video of him punching black teen in the head goes viral

• Reuters: Microsoft turned down facial-recognition sales on human rights concerns

• Dallas News: Bills to help cops pay back student loans approved in Texas House, Senate

• NBC LA: LAPD Sees 25% Reduction in Officer-Involved Shootings

• How-To Geek: How to Stop Google From Sharing Your Location With Law Enforcement

• AP: School Shootings Draw Attention To Officers' Mental Health

• WNYC: New York City's DAs Keep Secret Lists Of Cops With Questionable Credibility

Diane Narasaki earns the Civic Leadership Award

The former CPC co-chair and former director of ACRS will be given the award by the Seattle City Club. The award honors people from the Pacific Northwest who inspire others to civic action for the common good.