Police and Public Safety

Protestors gather behind a police barricade at the East Precinct building, chanting “Hands up, don’t shoot,” on Sunday, May 31.

Seattle Pays Out $10 Million Settlement to Protesters in Excessive Force Case

The historic case of 50 Black Lives Matter protesters came to a close on Wednesday with the announcement of a $10 million settlement. The...
Lorena González smiling in a headshot photo.

Lorena González Envisions a More Equitable City in Mayoral Bid

If you haven’t heard by now, Council President M. Lorena González is running for mayor. González is a known quantity in Seattle government and governance....

Midweek Video: Why America’s Police Look Like Soldiers

https://youtu.be/KOAOVbyfjA0 How did America’s civilian police forces go from just uniforms and basic equipment to militarized forces mirroring the national military? Vox takes a look...

Ex-SPD Employee Jamie Tompkins Alleges City Allowed “Sexually Hostile Work Environment”

Evidence that led to the ouster of former SPD Chief Adrian Diaz is now coming into question, and Jamie Tompkins, the department's former Chief-of-Staff is pushing to negotiate a $3 million settlement from the city.
Mayor Bruce Harrell stands at a lectern flanked by Police Chief Shon Barnes and Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the Public Safety Committee. A projection screen displays surveillance footage.

Harrell Pushes to Expand Recently Passed Surveillance Camera Pilot Program

Mayor Bruce Harrell is proposing to expand his three-month-old surveillance pilot program by installing more police cameras and funneling data from hundreds of traffic management cameras into the Seattle Police Department’s real-time crime center. The move has draw criticism from civil liberties groups.
Mayor Jenny Durkan gave soon-to-retire Police Chief Carmen Best some flowers to express her gratitude during a press conference about blocking police budget cuts in the Norm Rice room at City Hall. (Seattle Channel)

Mayor Durkan Vetoes Rebalancing Package Decrying Police Cuts, ‘Irresponsible’ Investments

Mayor Jenny Durkan again reached for her veto pen today, nixing the entire rebalancing package passed on August 10th. The Seattle City Council was...
Police gathered in large numbers to ensure houseless were swept and cleared in rapid fashion with no interruption from encampment residents or their allies. (Photo by Enrico Doan)

Seeking a Defund Mechanism as Mayor and Police Chief Fortify in Opposition

Mayor Jenny Durkan held another press conference on Tuesday to criticize Seattle City Council and their efforts to defund police by 50% and reallocate...

Midweek Video: The Gun Solution We’re Not Talking About

https://youtu.be/ENw2y0ek1Jg What is the difference between gun licensing and background checks? And which performs better in reducing gun violence?