Perspectives on Reform Community Police Commission

Perspectives on Reform

Help the CPC plan our future

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The Seattle Community Police Commission (CPC) is currently developing a strategic plan that will help guide the future of our organization. We exist to serve our community, so your input is critical to our planning process.

Help us by clicking here and taking a short 10-minute survey.

We appreciate you taking the time to help us solidify our path forward in championing police practices centered in justice and equity.

Seattle CPC cancels planned mayoral candidate debate

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The Community Police Commission (CPC) will no longer be hosting a planned mayoral candidate debate focused on public safety and police accountability. Former Council President Bruce Harrell has declined our invitation to participate.

The CPC still hopes to find the best ways to educate and facilitate a community dialogue about the critical issues Seattle’s future mayor will face regarding public safety and police accountability. We hope to share those plans with you at a future date.

CPC statement on SPD firing of two officers at the Capitol during attack

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“The January 6th insurrection in Washington, D.C. was an attack against our democracy fueled by white supremacy. Officers who violated Seattle Police Department policy and Washington, DC law during this attack have no place in policing. We are grateful Chief Diaz has accepted the findings and recommendations of the Office of Police Accountability and fired these two officers.

While this is a step toward accountability, we know SPD must do much more to address extremism within its ranks. Of the 31 police officers from across the nation known to be at the Capitol that day, 6 are Seattle Police officers – more than any other police department in the country. We continue to demand SPD transparently, aggressively, and publicly address extremism in the ranks as the Department of Defense, Houston Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies across the country have begun to do.”

  • Brandy Grant, CPC Executive Director

CPC statement on study showing racial disparity in Seattle police stops, use of force

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The Center for Policing Equity (CPE) study reiterates problems our community has known and experienced for far too long — the Seattle Police Department’s policies and practices continue to subject our communities of color to more intensive and forceful policing than our white communities.

CPE has identified many of the same issues the CPC and past audits of racial disparity have found in Seattle’s policing. Fittingly, CPE’s five recommendations echo recommendations made by the CPC in 2019, 2020, and 2021. To date, SPD has not fully incorporated those recommendations.

“Now is the time for action. Studies have shown that racial disparity and bias in policing are problems in Seattle. It is also clear that SPD’s current policies and practices are insufficient to address these disparities and adequately protect our community.”

La Rond Baker and Erin Goodman, CPC Co-Chairs

“The CPC and CPE have made similar recommendations to begin addressing inequities in the policing of communities of color. Community wants a system it can trust. Under the current system, the use of force against Black people is seven times the per capita rate as white people. That does not breed trust or equity. It is time for SPD to work with the CPC and community to implement solutions that work.”

Brandy Grant, CPC Executive Director

CPC statement on investigation into SPD officers at Capitol during insurrection

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The January 6th insurrection in Washington, D.C. was an attack against our democracy fueled by white supremacy. It demonstrated the worst of America. While the CPC has always stood for the civil liberties of our community, especially to protest, this was something utterly different – this was an act of terror.

Any officers’ participation in the insurrection is concerning. However, the fact that at least two Seattle police officers broke Washington DC law and Seattle Police Department (SPD) policy while insurrectionists attacked the seat of our democracy is inexcusable.

We are thankful for the thorough investigation conducted by the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) and urge Chief Adrian Diaz to act on the OPA’s findings.

We must address extremism within the ranks.

The concerns raised by the CPC and many other organizations about extremism within the ranks of SPD are serious. Of the 31 police officers from across the nation known to be at the Capitol that day, 6 are Seattle Police officers – more than any other police department in the country.

Soon after the attack on the Capitol, the CPC asked Chief Adrian Diaz how SPD plans to investigate and address extremism within the department’s ranks. While the Department of Defense, Houston Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies across the country have publicized plans to address this issue, SPD’s plans remain unclear.

The extent of SPD officers’ involvement in the insurrection is a wake-up call. The CPC demands SPD transparently and­ aggressively address extremism within the ranks.

We need full implementation of the landmark Accountability Ordinance.

While OPA was able to thoroughly investigate five of the six SPD officers at the scene of this attack, one officer refused orders to comply with the investigation and produce records. Hiding critical information like this undermines Seattle’s police disciplinary system and the community’s faith in law enforcement oversight.

One of the key reforms in the landmark Accountability Ordinance was the ability for OPA to subpoena necessary records.  Unfortunately, that was one of the dozens of reforms rolled back by the latest police contracts. This demonstrates why it is so important we fully implement the Accountability Ordinance in the upcoming collective bargaining process.