The Community Police Academy is designed to provide Seattle residents with an opportunity to learn firsthand about the job of a police officer and how the Seattle Police Department works.  Classes focus on patrol procedures and operations, internal investigations, the criminal justice process, crime scene investigation, bias crimes, narcotics, SWAT, use of force, defensive tactics, firearms/mock scenes, domestic violence, elder abuse, and arrest procedures.

Graduates receive a program certificate upon completion of the course.  Additionally, they benefit by gaining knowledge and an understanding of the realities and best practices of policing.

Space is limited, so all are encouraged to apply early.  The deadline to submit your application is Friday, July 20, 2012.  To apply, go to:

http://www.seattle.gov/police/programs/policeacademy/default.htm or call 206-684-8672 for more information.

Thirty-eight agencies from King, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties will have officers out looking for unbuckled drivers and passengers.

 “We are getting the word out to remind everyone to buckle up so we don’t have to write tickets,” shared Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick, the former Mill Creek State Representative who sponsored the 2002 legislation. “The purpose of the law is to save lives and I’m really pleased to see how far we’ve come.”

Washington state is a leader in seat belt use in the United States with 97.5 percent of motorists buckling up, an increase from 82 percent in 2002 when the primary law went into effect. With the rise of seat belt use, traffic deaths statewide have declined by nearly one-third, from 658 in 2002 to 455 in 2011 (preliminary data).

Despite these promising numbers, four out of every ten people who died in car crashes in Washington in the last five years were not wearing seat belts.

Traffic safety task forces in the five counties are coordinating the Click It or Ticket patrols with support from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Participating law enforcement agencies include:

King County: Auburn, Bellevue, Black Diamond, Burien, Covington, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Pacific, Redmond, Renton, SeaTac, Seattle, Snoqualmie, and Tukwila Police Departments and the Washington State Patrol.

Pierce County: Fircrest, Lakewood, Orting, Puyallup, Sumner, and Tacoma Police Departments, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and the Washington State Patrol.

Skagit County: Anacortes Police Department and the Washington State Patrol.

Snohomish County: Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville, and Mukilteo Police Departments, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol.

Whatcom County: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, and Western Washington University Police Departments, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol.

The victim and her boyfriend had just left an area comedy club and were walking back to the victim’s apartment when the shooting occurred. Detectives believe a smaller, light-colored vehicle, which was seen fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed, may be connected.     

Anyone with information about this shooting or the above described vehicle is asked to call the Seattle Police Homicide hot line at 206-233-5000. Anonymous tips are welcome.

http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2012/04/22/woman-shot-suspects-being-sought/

The department members who participated in this event did so on their own time as a way to give back and to do their part in bringing the community and the police together in a  positive setting.

Pictured SPD officers: JD Parnell, JoJo Cambronero, Nick Carter, Gary Davenport, Elliott Easton, & Sergeant Jay Shin. Also pictured - Ballard High School Coach Joey Thomas and Coach Norris.

Following a harsh review by the Department of Justice—which called SPD out for a pattern of excessive force and intimated there were signs of biased policing in the department—city leaders and SPD’s top brass are looking at a very real, and very costly  takeover by the DOJ.

The department agrees that change needs to happen, but believes the most meaningful and lasting changes will come from within Seattle. That’s why today Mayor Mike McGinn, SPD Chief John Diaz and Assistant Chief Mike Sanford set a self-imposed deadline to finally make the reforms Seattle has been flirting with for decades.

“Don’t let a good crisis go to waste, that’s how we’re viewing this,” Mayor McGinn said, noting that the threat of a federal lawsuit and consent decree has “lent a sense of urgency” to the department’s reform efforts. “There’s opportunity in here, and we’re looking to seize that,” he said.

Rather than waiting for the DOJ to deliver a list of demands in the form of a legally enforceable consent decree, the police department has drawn up a far-reaching list of 20 reforms to police practices, policies, and procedures to be put in place over the next 20 months.

A number of high-profile incidents over the last few years have done a great deal of damage to the public’s trust of SPD. That has to be earned back through transparency, by improving public perception and bringing the police department into the 21st century.

That’s why the 20/20 plan’s extensive overhaul is all about smarter, more efficient, more accessible, and equitable policing.

“I’m committed to a police force that protects public safety, fights crime and treats every individual with dignity and respect,” Mayor McGinn said Thursday.

Under the 20/20 plan, officers will receive training emphasizing things like communication skills, as well as deescalation training so they’re better prepared for tough interactions out on the street, whether they’re dealing with a hostile crowd of protesters or individuals with mental illness and substance abuse issues.

The department will also take a data-driven and technology-based approach to public safety, allowing the department to better monitor, respond to, and proactively address crime before neighbors feel unsafe in their own homes.

Technical innovation will also allow the department to better track officers’ use of force, to make sure officers are properly using the authority the public has entrusted them with, and it will make public records and data even more accessible to the public.

The department is also making efforts to become more accessible to Seattle residents, both by giving officers more opportunities to meet and interact with neighbors in the precincts they patrol, and by engaging with the public on social media like Facebook and Twitter. Seattle deserves to be able to see and understand how and why the police department operates the way it does.

To make sure the community supports these reform efforts, the department has engaged with the Minority Executive Director’s Coalition (MEDC), which made 90 recommendations to SPD, many of which were incorporated into the 20/20 plan.

After standing at the side of Mayor McGinn and Chief Diaz as they unveiled the 20/20 plan Thursday, MEDC Board Member Estela Ortega called the interaction between the MEDC and SPD “historic.”

“Never have we had a mayor’s office and police department this committed to working with the community,” Ortega said, calling the SPD’s plan “a positive first step.” However, she cautioned, “we all know the devil is in the details.”

Mayor McGinn says he wants a department that “looks like Seattle,” and Chief Diaz says he wants “lasting and sustainable” changes. This is their chance to prove it, and these implementations are coming with or without the DOJ.

“At times we’ve fallen short,” Chief Diaz said Thursday. “The DOJ did bring up some issues we need to be better at, but many of these things are initiatives that we’ve been moving forward on because it’s the right thing to do. I want us to be at the forefront of all these issues. I’m hoping people see there’s a lot of weight behind this.”

Click here to view the full 20/20 plan, and watch the video below to see Mayor Mike McGinn, Chief Diaz and Assistant Chief Sanford discussing the reforms:

http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=1061216

Law Enforcement fundraisers for Special Olympics include “Tip-a-Cop” at participating restaurants, Cops on Doughnut Shops at Krispy Kreme restaurants, Law Enforcement Torch Run, Northwest Ride of Dreams and the recent Polar Plunge.  Special Olympics and SPD would like to thank the public for their part in supporting these fundraisers – the success of which has been made possible because of generous community support.

Last year, law enforcement in Washington State raised $650,000 in support of SOWA.  The Seattle Police Department alone raised $50,000. 

For more information about Special Olympics Washington, please visit their website at www.specialolympicswashington.org

Special Olympics Washington athlete/board member Angela Martin and Chief John Diaz

Online Application Filing Period: April 2–27, 2012 at www.seattlepolicejobs.com

WORKSHOPS:

We have free pre-test workshops available to help you prepare for the June 23-24 Entry Level Police Officer Exam.  You must pre-register with the Recruiting Unit in order to attend.   

Please e-mail Officer Andre Sinn at andre.sinn@seattle.gov to register, or if you have questions or need additional information.   You will receive a confirmation e-mail with the location, directions, and more information about the workshop.  If you are serious about becoming a Seattle Police Officer, we strongly recommend you attend one of these workshops, which will provide an in depth overview of the testing and hiring process from start to finish.

Free Pre-test Workshops in downtown Seattle:

Saturday, February 18th – 10:00 am to 12:30 pm

Thursday, February 23rd – 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Wednesday, March 14^th – 6:00pm – 8:30

Saturday, March 24^th – 10:00am – 12:30

Wednesday, April 25^th – 6:00pm – 8:30

Saturday, April 8^th – 10:00am – 12:30

Saturday, May 19^th – 10:00am – 12:30

Wednesday, May 23^rd – 6:00pm – 8:30

Seattle, Washington — February 6, 2012 — This past Saturday, the Seattle Hotel Association hosted the 15th annual Evening of Hope Gala at the Olympic Fairmont Hotel. This year all net proceeds benefit the Seattle Police Foundation. Saturday’s honorees, Gil Kerlikowske and his wife Anna Laszlo, were recognized for all their hard work towards improving public safety. Gil is currently the Drug Czar for the Obama Administration and the former Seattle Police Chief (2001-2009). His wife Anna is a national leader in criminal justice research and programming. Both have had an amazing impact on the Seattle community, and it was under Gil’s leadership that the Seattle Police Foundation began.

The Seattle Police Foundation (SPF) was founded to assist the police department reach its mission of fighting crime, reducing fear and building strong communities. SPF specifically helps SPD enhance relationships with the community they serve, improve officer and employee development, and provide the latest in equipment and technology that would not be normally funded in the city’s budget to ensure their safety and enhance the service they provide our community every day. Proceeds from the Evening of Hope will go to fund projects in these areas. “This money will help us continue to make Seattle safer. The work we do changes and saves lives,” said Renée Hopkins, President of the Seattle Police Foundation. The event raised more than $400,000 with proceeds going to the SPF.

The partnership between the Seattle Hotel Association, the Seattle Police Foundation and the events sponsors, demonstrates the commitment we all have towards building a safe and vibrant Seattle to allow businesses and families to thrive. Again, the Seattle Police Foundation would like to thank the Seattle Hotel Association and the event sponsors for their support and ensuring the events success.

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 For more information, press only:

Abel Pacheco, (206) 733- 9372, abel.pacheco@seattle.gov

For more information on the Seattle Police Foundation and the Seattle Hotel Association:

http://www.seattlepolicefoundation.org

http://www.seattlehotelassociation.org/eoh.html

Right now this case (see SPD Statement below) is in the hands of the Office of Professional Accountability (OPA).  It was referred there by Department commanders per Department policy. The investigation will receive priority and will continue with necessary speed and due diligence. 

The OPA is working hard to determine the facts. The nightclub has been closed due to snow, so efforts to collect video have been stymied for the time being.  Work will continue in spite of the severe weather. I have complete confidence in the OPA’s ability to investigate this incident in a way that is thorough and fair. I will not judge this incident until the investigation is complete and the facts are in.  Due process is a necessary component to the integrity of our police accountability system.
 
If the investigation bears out that my officers acted inappropriately, know that they will be held accountable. As Chief of Police, that is my responsibility.
 
If anyone has any information regarding this incident, I urge them to call our OPA investigators by phone at (206) 684-8797 or by email at opa@seattle.gov

SPD Statement nightclub disturbance 011712

The people of Seattle deserve a police force that fights crime in a way that is fair and equitable. We deserve a police force that is well trained and accountable for its actions. We deserve a police force that is respectful and professional in all areas, and worthy of the community’s trust. Meeting these demands requires a police department that is continually learning and improving, willing and able to implement reforms.

That means we must listen to criticism from everyone with a stake in the success of the Seattle Police Department. We have heard from the public and now the federal government that more must be done. We agree. Let us be very clear: we are committed to reform.

This process of change cannot wait. This morning, I ordered Chief John Diaz to begin implementation of reforms outlined in the Department of Justice’s report. We will also convene a public review panel to oversee the implementation of these reforms.

Additionally, based on our ongoing collaboration with the Department of Justice, we have also adopted the following reforms:

• On January 4, we will implement a system of consistent supervision of patrol officers which, as the Department of Justice recognized, should improve accountability of our officers.
• We have created a new Professional Standards Section.
• We have implemented improvements to the way we investigate use of force incidents, including a new Force Review Board and a Force Investigative team.
• We are undertaking a top-to-bottom review and rewrite of the department’s Policies and Procedures.
• We are in the process of revising and simplifying the Office of Professional Accountability’s classification system.

Chief Diaz and I expect our police force to be a national model of professionalism and accountability – that earns the respect of the people as it protects our communities from crime. We stand ready to work with the community and the Department of Justice to ensure Seattle has that department.