It is with mixed emotions that I announce that Assistant Chief Robert Merner has been offered a job as police chief of the Portsmouth Police Department in New Hampshire. I couldn’t be more proud of Chief Merner. He has effectively led the Criminal Investigations Bureau for the last two years,… [ Keep reading ]
Late last evening, I received a call from the Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland who informed me that she intended to nominate me as chair of a commission to reform Irish policing. I am certainly honored by this nomination, but also it is a testament to the incredible work the… [ Keep reading ]
In the last 24 hours, there have been five shooting incidents, leaving one person dead and four others injured. We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the young woman who died yesterday. Our hearts go out to these victims and their loved ones. We are outraged by the… [ Keep reading ]
I want to take this opportunity to share with you the results of the Monitor’s assessment on SPD use of force, which will be filed with the court today and no doubt be the subject of much media attention. In short, the Monitor’s assessment confirms the data that SPD reported… [ Keep reading ]
In November 2016, we released a report outlining our department’s progress over the past two years. It is equally important that we look to the future. Our strategic plan covers the four pillars of policing that will continue to serve as our guiding principles as we move ahead: Enhance Public… [ Keep reading ]
Our hearts go out to the family of the fallen Tacoma Police officer, and the men and women of the Tacoma Police Department. We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
As affirmed by Mayor Murray, the City of Seattle remains committed to values of equality, inclusion and openness. So does the Seattle Police Department. I have heard from people in our community who fear that the policies of the SPD with regards to immigration status will soon change. They will… [ Keep reading ]
When I started with Seattle Police Department in June 2014, we were in the early stages of implementing a federal consent decree. Thanks to the incredibly hard work of our department, we have emerged as a leader in reform and constitutional policing. This progress report outlines SPD’s work over the… [ Keep reading ]
Today, I signed an order terminating the employment of a Seattle Police officer, Adley Shepherd based on his conduct during an incident involving a handcuffed subject on June 22, 2014. The Office of Professional Accountability (OPA) concluded, and I concur, that the employee’s conduct was in stark contrast to the expectations… [ Keep reading ]
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… [ Keep reading ]
