The Mayor’s panel on police accountability has issued 29 specific recommendations designed to strengthen police accountability and transparency. Sixteen of the recommendations, according to the Mayor, are being implemented right away, the remaining 13 are subject to negotiations with the Seattle Police Officer’s Guild. Read the Mayor’s 2007 Police Accountability Review Panel report here.
I support all 29 of the panel’s recommendations. They are good recommendations that will help maintain the highest quality of police services in Seattle. I’m hopeful we can start a new conversation that reflects the professionalism of our police officers and the importance of community accountability and transparency. I believe these recommendations can be implemented with the full support of the officer’s union, and soon.
We have the largest police department in the state of Washington, the most sophisticated, the best trained, and our officers deserve to be the best compensated. It’s important to wrap up the current labor negotiations with our police officers–they’ve been working without a contract for over a year–and return our focus to protecting our neighborhoods.
Important Related Resources:
City Council Advisory Panel on Police Accountability Enabling Legislation
Office of Professional Accountability Enabling Legislation
Office of Professional Accountability Website
Office of Professional Accountability Review Board Enabling Legislation
Office of Professional Accountability Review Board Website
Seattle Times: Mayor’s panel wants more police scrutiny
Seattle P-I Editorial: Seattle Police: Adopt panel ideas
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