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 ]
Every year, the Seattle Police Department facilitates over 300 free speech events, the vast majority without incident or arrest. Our policies and training are built around maximizing the exercise of free speech without officer intervention. The Seattle Police Department will continue to support the peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights…. [ 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 ]
The following information is accurate May 18, 2020 at 7:00 AM Seattle Police Department (SPD) employees in either Quarantine or Isolation: 18 SPD employees who have returned to work based on Public Health guidelines: 324 SPD employees who have tested positive for COVID-19: 7 SPD employees who have been tested… [ Keep reading ]
SEATTLE (May 7, 2020) – After meeting the comprehensive reform and improvements in Seattle Police Department operations set forth in the Consent Decree Sustainment Plan, the City of Seattle and the Department of Justice filed a motionand corresponding memorandum to terminate that plan. In 2011, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) released findings of… [ Keep reading ]
In the Editor’s Notes column of The Guardian, there are several claims that are false. Because false information unchecked will soon take on a life of its own, I am writing to address two key points in immediate need of correction. I AM NOT A CANDIDATE FOR ANOTHER POLICE CHIEF… [ Keep reading ]
As we approach a new era of our organization, it is critical that our leadership aligns with our priorities. ln keeping with this vision, I am making the following Command Staff announcements. I sincerely appreciate the contribution of Marc Garth Green stepping into the role of Deputy Chief. However, we… [ Keep reading ]
Today, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) is releasing video of a canine team taking a robbery suspect into custody. This video was released to a media outlet in fulfillment of a public disclosure request, and due to public interest in police accountability, we are also releasing the video publicly, as… [ Keep reading ]