Department of Justice

Federal Prosecution Adds Stiff Penalty To Hate Crime Charge

Phyllis Fletcher — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:15:56 +0000

It’s a story you may have heard before: A drunk guy gets in a cab. His driver has dark skin, a beard and a turban. The passenger calls the driver racial names and beats him so viciously, the driver lands in the hospital and the passenger goes to jail.

Seattle Man Gets 18 Years For Terror Plot

John Ryan — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 01:59:07 +0000

A Seattle man received an 18-year prison sentence on terrorism charges on Monday after plotting to attack a military installation in South Seattle.

Policing The Seattle Police: What Will The New Community Commission Do?

Ross Reynolds — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:18:26 +0000

As part of the agreement with the Department of Justice to implement reforms in the Seattle Police Department, Mayor Mike McGinn proposed the creation of a Community Police Commission. The 13-member commission, selected by the mayor and City Council, is supposed to ensure that the police are acting lawfully and safely.

The commission still has to be confirmed by the City Council, but Ross Reynolds sits down with commission co-chair and deputy director of the Defender Association, Lisa Daugaard, to discuss what the commission can and hopes to accomplish.

SPD Confronts Another Inflammatory Video

Amy Radil — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 02:10:35 +0000

The Seattle Police Department is facing another use-of-force lawsuit accompanied by video footage. Friday the department defended its conduct at a press conference.

Seattle Police Monitor Merrick Bobb On DOJ Reforms

Steve Scher — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:00:00 +0000

We talk with Merrick Bobb, Seattle's new federally appointed independent police monitor. He began working in the field of police accountability 20 years ago, following the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles. In Seattle, he'll help implement an overhaul of the SPD’s use-of-force procedures and establish guidelines for citizen contacts and stops.

Director Of The Office Of Professional Accountability Stepping Down

Ross Reynolds — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:56:42 +0000

Kathryn Olson, outgoing head of the Seattle Police Office of Professional Accountability, talks with Ross Reynolds about the Department of Justice finding that police engage in use of excessive force, what the city and DOJ are doing to remedy the problems, and her role as the director of the OPA.

Court Appoints Independent Monitor For Seattle Police

Patricia Murphy — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:25:17 +0000

A federal judge has appointed Merrick Bobb as the independent monitor to oversee reforms to the Seattle Police Department. Bobb’s appointment follows disagreement between the Seattle city council, the police department, and the mayor over whether he was the best choice.

Bobb was one of four finalists. As monitor he will assess the City’s compliance with a settlement agreement between the police and the U.S. Department of Justice.