More mentors, better facilities, gear that fits. WA police departments are upping their game to recruit more women Just 12% of police officers nationwide are women. Washington state lags behind that already low number at 11%. Several law enforcement agencies statewide have signed on to a goal to increase women in the ranks. They’re recruiting women by offering strong mentorship programs and better-suited gear and facilities, among other strategies. But success is mixed, and larger agencies especially continue to struggle. Amy Radil Play AudioListen 5 mins
Law & Courts Anti-police protesters awarded $680,000 after SPD arrests labeled 'retaliatory' Four protesters arrested for writing anti-police graffiti outside the Seattle Police precinct at the center of the Black Lives Matter protest have been awarded $680,000 by a federal jury. Stephen Howie
Mysterious posters in courthouse garage could have jeopardized Auburn police killing case, judge says The case of the first police officer charged under a new state standard for misuse of deadly force is now before a jury in King County Superior Court. Auburn police officer Jeffrey Nelson faces charges of second-degree murder and first-degree assault for twice shooting Jesse Sarey on May 31, 2019. Amy Radil Play AudioListen 6 mins
Politics ‘I am a gay Latino man,’ says former Seattle Chief Adrian Diaz after stepping down Isolde Raftery Ashley Hiruko
Crime King County prosecutors have notified schools of 69 felony gun charges against students The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has started notifying schools when students are charged with felonies involving guns. The Safer Schools Strategy began this school year, partly in response to campus shootings. Ann Dornfeld
Despite threats of removal, asylum-seekers in Kent remain at camp next to empty hotel For now, asylum-seekers camping out in front of a vacant county-owned hotel in the city of Kent are not going to be relocated. Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez
Demotion costs Seattle’s ex-police chief his title at national police org Mayor Bruce Harrell made the change, citing a “distracting” amount of litigation by SPD officers and the need for an outside investigation to proceed unimpeded. Now, Diaz has lost another title as well. Amy Radil
Government 'This is how we get better.' Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell defends his decision to dismiss Police Chief Adrian Diaz Barely 24 after publicly announcing his decision to dismiss Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz, Mayor Bruce Harrell spoke to Soundside's Libby Denkmann about why that was the right move for a department plagued by lawsuits and accusations that it was a "good old boys' club." Libby Denkmann Jason Burrows Katie Campbell
Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz out; former Sheriff Sue Rahr interim Updated at 1 p.m. 5/29/2024 Ashley Hiruko Isolde Raftery Play AudioListen 5 mins
Assistant chief with Seattle Police put on leave, reasons unclear Updated 4:15 p.m. on 5/24/2024. Isolde Raftery
