police reform

Mayoral Candidates React To Seattle Police Chief Resignation

Phyllis Fletcher — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:57:47 +0000

Seattle Chief of Police John Diaz announced his retirement today after 33 years with the department.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and Seattle Police Chief made the announcement Monday to reporters with 30 minutes' notice.

UPDATE: Police Commission Appointment Revives Questions About Harriet Walden

Amy Radil and Phyllis Fletcher — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:35:10 +0000

Story last updated by Phyllis Fletcher on March 18, 2013 at 4:35 p.m.

A March 6 special hearing by the Seattle City Council was intended to launch the city’s new Community Police Commission. But the meeting became mired in the background of one of its appointees.

Your Take On The News

Producer — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

It's Friday — time to review the week's top news stories with Knute Berger, Eli Sanders and C.R. Douglas. A federal judge approved a first-year plan to reform the Seattle Police Department. Meanwhile, the plan was challenged in court by the Seattle Police Officer's Guild and the Seattle Police Management Association, over concerns about collective bargaining rights.

Also, a bill that would expand background checks for gun owners died in the state House. And the state's budget shortfall grew by $300 million. What stories were you following this week? Call us at 800.289.5869 or write to weekday@kuow.org.

Federal Judge Approves Seattle Police Reform Plan

Deborah Wang — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:02:30 +0000

A federal judge gave the green light yesterday to a wide-ranging reform plan for the Seattle Police Department. The plan is meant to address a 2011 finding by the US Justice Department that Seattle police had engaged in an unconstitutional pattern and practice of excessive use of force.

Monitor Merrick Bobb's Plan For Seattle Police Reform

Producer — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Tuesday, a federal judge approved a plan to reform Seattle's Police Department. This comes a day after the Seattle Police Officers Guild and Seattle Police Management Association filed a court challenge to the plan, raising concerns about the collective bargaining rights of police officers. We'll talk with independent monitor Merrick Bobb and senior police expert Joe Brann about the details of the reform plan.

New Lawsuit Complicates Seattle Police Reform Plan

Deborah Wang — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:12:22 +0000

Two Seattle police unions have filed a lawsuit against a federal plan to reform the police department.

Connie Rice On Seattle Police Reform

Producer — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:00:00 +0000

A plan from the court-appointed monitor overseeing Seattle’s police reforms to address biased policing and excessive use of force within the SPD was overshadowed this week by a standoff between Mayor Mike McGinn and City Attorney Pete Holmes. The two argued publicly over who has authority to act on the city’s behalf. Yesterday, Mayor McGinn said he regretted the public argument and called for a pause. L.A.-based civil rights attorney Connie Rice is advising the mayor's office as the city moves forward on a consent decree with the Justice Department. We’ll speak with her about the work so far and what she calls a “quest for trust” in Seattle.

Seattle Grounds Police Drones Program

Cathy Duchamp — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:25:28 +0000

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn put an end to a controversial program where unmanned miniature helicopters equipped with cameras would be used to fight crime. Critics had privacy concerns about police surveillance. The timing of Mayor McGinn's decision could become an issue in his re-election bid.