The Seattle Police Department is working closely with the Seattle Information Technology department (SeaIT) to ensure investigators have the necessary tools to pursue serious and complex crimes in an increasingly digital world.
A department legal review has determined that the use of these tools does not conflict with either the City of Seattle’s Intelligence or Surveillance ordinances, but in keeping with the department’s commitment to transparency, SPD has also asked the City of Seattle Intelligence Auditor to conduct a full review of SPD’s use of digital technologies.
We believe this audit, and any other reviews, will confirm SPD’s public safety efforts are both lawful and in keeping with our commitments to privacy. We look forward to discussing this subject with City Council further.
SPD will continue to seek out the most effective tools available, to ensure effective and constitutional policing in our city.