Officials say the use of serious force by Seattle police is down 60%, with new systems in place for dealing with people in crisis, responding to complaints of biased policing, supervising officers and identifying any who get physical too often.
A Seattle police officer walks past tents used by people experiencing homelessness, March 11, 2022, during the clearing and removal an encampment in Westlake Park in downtown Seattle.
Since then, officials say, the use of serious force is down 60% and the department has new systems for dealing with people in crisis, responding to complaints of biased policing, supervising officers and identifying any who get physical too often. “Seattle stands as a model for the kind of change and reform that can be achieved when communities, police departments and cities come together to repair and address systemic misconduct,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, told a news conference in Seattle.
Earlier this month the department found that police in Louisville, Kentucky, have engaged in a pattern of violating constitutional rights and discrimination against the Black community following an investigation prompted by the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor. It also announced a new review of the police in Memphis, Tennessee, following the beating death of Tyre Nichols.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said the money the city has devoted to police reform has been well spent. Then-Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole fired Shepherd, but a disciplinary review board reinstated him before a state appeals court ultimately upheld the dismissal.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Justice Dept. says Seattle police reached many goals of 2012 consent decreeThe Justice Dept. said the Seattle Police Department has made substantial progress toward achieving the requirements of a 2012 federal consent decree
Read more »
Justice Department moves to end consent decree with Seattle Police Department | CNN PoliticsThe Justice Department moved Tuesday to end a consent decree with the Seattle Police Department, bringing to a close more than a decade of federal supervision of the police department.
Read more »
Seattle and Justice officials seek to end most oversight of city's policeU.S. Justice Department and Seattle officials seek an end to most federal oversight of the city's police department, saying its sustained reform efforts are a model for other cities.
Read more »
Seattle police cruisers involved in crash during recovery of stolen carOne SPD vehicle hit the car from behind. The other hit the driver’s side front fender.
Read more »
Seattle Police find dead body by northbound I-5 off-ramp, delays trafficA Seattle Police Department investigation is blocking the northbound Interstate 5 off-ramp to State Route 522, closing the street.
Read more »