Seattle City Council Oversight of the Seattle Police Department

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

Ellensburg

Event Website

https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source

Start Date

18-5-2020

Abstract

Since 2011, the SPD has operated under the oversight of the Department of Justice (Civil Rights Division). The oversight occurred as a result of claims of excessive force. The DOJ had federal judge James Robart in charge of the proceedings. Things were rough in the beginning, and Judge Robart became frustrated with the political infighting that cluttered the negotiations, which have become commonplace in Seattle. Despite resistance from a group of 100 officers who filed suit against the reforms, the DOJ offered a clear path to reform centralized to Judge Robart and the DOJ. According to the Seattle Times as of January 10, 2018, the SPD was deemed in full compliance with the consent decree. The SPD has taken and executed the necessary steps for reform. Case closed? No. Enter the Seattle City Council, and the oversight continues. It is essential to explore the Seattle Police Department's organizational nature, environment, responsibilities, communication climate, and consequences of legislation. Seattle Police Department is working to overcome some of its professional paralysis to ensure the safety of Seattle citizens. Through secondary analysis, I provide an organizational review and recommendations for the Seattle Police Department's future coordinated efforts.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Christine Henderson

Department/Program

Law & Justice

Additional Mentoring Department

https://cwu.studentopportunitycenter.com/2020/04/seattle-city-council-oversight-of-the-seattle-police-department/

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May 18th, 12:00 PM

Seattle City Council Oversight of the Seattle Police Department

Ellensburg

Since 2011, the SPD has operated under the oversight of the Department of Justice (Civil Rights Division). The oversight occurred as a result of claims of excessive force. The DOJ had federal judge James Robart in charge of the proceedings. Things were rough in the beginning, and Judge Robart became frustrated with the political infighting that cluttered the negotiations, which have become commonplace in Seattle. Despite resistance from a group of 100 officers who filed suit against the reforms, the DOJ offered a clear path to reform centralized to Judge Robart and the DOJ. According to the Seattle Times as of January 10, 2018, the SPD was deemed in full compliance with the consent decree. The SPD has taken and executed the necessary steps for reform. Case closed? No. Enter the Seattle City Council, and the oversight continues. It is essential to explore the Seattle Police Department's organizational nature, environment, responsibilities, communication climate, and consequences of legislation. Seattle Police Department is working to overcome some of its professional paralysis to ensure the safety of Seattle citizens. Through secondary analysis, I provide an organizational review and recommendations for the Seattle Police Department's future coordinated efforts.

https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2020/COTS/64