Last Friday, SPD participated in support of other City departments and Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board officers in civil code inspections across ten locations, two of which were well-known LGBTQ+ nightclubs. While SPD’s role in these inspections was solely for purposes of maintaining peace, we – as an organization – failed to appreciate the negative symbolism that can attach to the presence of uniformed police officers in establishments dedicated to providing safe space for our LGBTQ+ community. Mindful of the fractured history between SPD and our LGBTQ+ community over the past century and the fragile trust we continue to work hard to rebuild, we as a department fell short of our commitment to remain self-aware of how our actions and presence may be perceived. For the harm we caused, we are deeply sorry.
We recommit to building upon the many positive relationships we share with LGBTQ+ businesses and communities.