Find Posts By Topic

Chief O’Toole on Reform: Significant Progress Made, Still Work Ahead

Today the Federal Monitor filed his latest report highlighting significant progress the Seattle Police Department has made in its reform efforts during the past year. The department continues to make great strides in dealing with persons in mental health crisis with only 1.6% of the 9,300 crisis contacts resulting in reportable force. Furthermore, with regards to use of force there was a 55% decrease in the number of moderate to high level force incidents in the last year.

These achievements are a testament to the SPD personnel who have embraced new policies, training and accountability systems. There is still work to be done on the road to reform. We will continue to work collaboratively with our Federal partners and the Monitoring Team to be a national model for reform and constitutional policing.