I will be retiring from the Seattle Police Department, effective September 2nd, 2020. This was a difficult decision for me, but when it’s time, it’s time. Thank you, Mayor Durkan, for your continuous support through good and tough times. I am confident the department will make it through these difficult… [ Keep reading ]
I, and the entire Seattle Police Department, have heard loud and clear the demands of so many in the community. We understand what gives voice to these appeals. We acknowledge the history of policing, and we commit to growing and improving policing. The SPD has fostered trust during the past… [ Keep reading ]
August 3rd, 2020Lorena González, President and Lisa Herbold, Public Safety ChairSeattle City Council, City Hall600 Fourth Ave, 2nd FloorSeattle, WA 98104Re: Intimidation of Public Officials and Employees Dear President González, Chairwoman Herbold, and Seattle City Council Members:I wanted to update you on recent events, particularly those that occurred late last… [ Keep reading ]
I wanted to update you that early this morning, the federal judge overseeing the Consent Decree issued a temporary order halting the implementation of City Council’s recently passed legislation that banned SPD from using less-lethal crowd management tools that had previously been approved by the Court, including blast balls and pepper… [ Keep reading ]
July 23, 2020Lorena González, President and Lisa Herbold, Public Safety ChairSeattle City Council, City Hall600 Fourth Ave, 2nd FloorSeattle, WA 98104 Re: City Council Ordinance 119805 – Crowd Control Tools Dear President González, Chairwoman Herbold, and Seattle City Council Members: SPD has confirmed with the City Attorney’s Office that the… [ Keep reading ]
The Chief sent this letter to City Council yesterday regarding Decriminalize Seattle/King County Equity Now Proposals: July 21, 2020 Lorena González, President, Seattle City Council and Lisa Herbold, Public Safety Chair, Seattle City Council City Hall 600 Fourth Ave, 2nd Floor Seattle, WA 98104 Re: Decriminalize Seattle/King County Equity Now Proposals… [ Keep reading ]
June 22, 2020 To the Seattle Community: The last few weeks in Seattle – beginning on May 25th, 2020, when George Floyd was murdered by a City of Minneapolis Police Officer – have been the most transformative and challenging moments, in my lifetime, for our City, and for the Seattle… [ Keep reading ]
Please watch this video for an update about the situation at the East Precinct and my message to each and every one of you. Stay safe and take care of one another. Carmen Best Chief of Police 6/11/20 11:05am *Point of clarification. We are only releasing this publicly after hearing… [ Keep reading ]
I want to update you on events of today and tonight. Currently, we are still addressing a number of groups of offenders who continue to assault officers and loot the downtown core, indiscriminately. The National Guard is assisting in controlling the situation downtown. At last update we had arrested 27… [ Keep reading ]
To the Men and Women of the Seattle Police Department: I wanted to take a moment to address the tragic murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis Police Department officer. In the video, we hear Mr. Floyd’s repeated calls for help. We hear him say over and over again that… [ Keep reading ]