Government Seattle City Council approves police use of blast balls, pepper spray, tear gas during protests The Seattle City Council Tuesday reauthorized the use of blast balls, pepper spray, and pepper by police for crowd-control purposes, despite the objections of people who said they were impacted by those non-lethal weapons during the 2020 racial justice protests. Stephen Howie
More officers hired, fewer shots fired: Seattle interim Police Chief Rahr optimistic as she exits Sue Rahr’s interim role as Seattle Police Chief winds down this week as the city prepares to welcome Mayor Bruce Harrell’s nominee Shon Barnes, chief of police in Madison, WI, as the new head of the agency. Speaking with KUOW’s Soundside, Rahr said as she departs, she bl SPD is turning the corner on some of its biggest challenges after a “rough” several years. Libby Denkmann
Crime Ex-Auburn cop gets nearly 17 years in prison for 2019 murder of Jessey Sarey A former Seattle-area cop found guilty of murder was sentenced to more than 16 years in prison on Thursday. Jeffrey Nelson, 46, was convicted in June of second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the 2019 killing of 26-year-old Jesse Sarey. Ashley Hiruko
Law & Courts As some Washington law enforcement leaders vow to help with mass deportations, immigration advocates prepare to resist A Washington law that’s designed to protect immigrant rights could see new challenges as President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The state’s sanctuary law restricts how local law enforcement can aid federal immigration officials, but some Washington state counties appear eager to help Trump fulfill his promise of mass deportations. Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez Play AudioListen 5 mins
Law & Courts Some cities are ditching ShotSpotter. Tacoma still wants the gunshot detection technology Tacoma plans to install acoustic gunshot detection technology this spring in an area that has been the site of several homicides in recent years. But not everyone is convinced the ShotSpotter system will lead to a reduction in gun-related crimes. Libby Denkmann Alec Cowan
Law & Courts Seattle Community Police Commission seeks to regroup from internal turmoil, influence crowd control ordinance Seattle’s Community Police Commission was created to amplify the voices of communities affected by policing and weigh in on police reform. But internal conflicts, vacancies, and turnover have frustrated that mission in recent years, according to an outside review. Amy Radil Play AudioListen 5 mins
Seattle police officer fired 2 years after striking, killing Jaahnavi Kandula with cruiser The Seattle officer who struck and killed 23-year-old grad student Jaahnavi Kandula with his police cruiser two years ago has been fired. Liz Brazile
Law & Courts Auburn cop convicted of murder won’t get new trial, judge rules A Seattle-area cop found guilty of murder won't get a retrial, a King County Superior Court judge ruled on Friday. Auburn police officer Jeffrey Nelson, 46, was convicted in June of second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the 2019 killing of 26-year-old Jesse Sarey. Stephen Howie Liz Brazile
Drones and robbers. Redmond police take drones to the next level If you call 911 in Redmond, don't be surprised if a drone shows up first instead of a police officer. Dyer Oxley
Crime Seattle police arrest suspect following 'arbitrary' stabbings of 10 people in Chinatown-International District After 10 people were stabbed over two days in Seattle, police have a suspect in custody. Dyer Oxley
