Take CPC's survey on police accountability
As we continue engaging in advocacy on the next SPOG contract, we’re working to gain a baseline understanding of what community members know and believe about police accountability.
Please take 5-10 minutes to complete our survey to the best of your ability. Reach out to OCPC@seattle.gov if you need assistance or have questions.
CPC presentation on SPD Use of Force reporting
On July 3, CPC Policy Director Linnea Lassiter, Senior Policy Advisor Dani Sullivan, and Executive Director Dr. Cali Ellis presented an update on Seattle Police Department (SPD) current and proposed changes to its use of force reporting policies. Based in part on community feedback received during a 2021 Town Hall on SPD use of force policy, CPC put forth the following two draft recommendations:
- An ask for additional reporting requirements for pointing a firearm (a Type I incident);
- In part, this is due to community feedback and OIG reporting that Black residents are more likely to have a firearm pointed at them than other racial/ethnic groups; and
- A request that the CPC Director should not be removed as a consulting partner to SPD for use of force reporting, given the community voice CPC serves to represent.
Our next steps include engaging with the CPC Police Practices Work Group to further develop these policies and present final recommendations at our next Bi-Monthly Meeting on Wednesday, July 24. Watch the presentation, view the slides, and reach out to OCPC@seattle.gov with questions or feedback.
CPC presents mid-year report at Public Safety Committee
As required by the Accountability Ordinance, the partners in accountability are tasked with providing mid-year updates to the Seattle City Council’s Public Safety Committee. That presentation took place on July 9, where CPC Executive Director Dr. Cali Ellis joined OIG Deputy Director Bessie Marie Scott, OPA Deputy Director Bonnie Glenn, and SPD Chief Operating Officer Brian Maxey to present on mid-year projects and programs that we’ve all been working on.
Dr. Ellis covered CPC work updates on Accountability Ordinance revisions, staffing, collaboration, community engagement, policy, data, and more. Members of the Committee and Council asked questions about districts we cover in community engagement and acknowledged that they hear our message and asks on police accountability in the next SPOG contract. Watch the meeting and view the slides from our presentation.
Councilmember Woo visits CPC meeting
Seattle City Councilmember Tanya Woo dropped by our most recent CPC Bi-Monthly Meeting (BTW, we love and welcome visits from Councilmembers!) and shared a few public safety updates with us. CM Woo shared information about a new proposed ordinance addressing stiffer penalties for street racing for both car owners and spectators.
CM Woo also shared the news that the proposal to expand SPD automated license plate readers (that we covered in our May 22 newsletter) recently passed Council.
CPC Executive Director presents to Before the Badge recruits
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On July 9, CPC Executive Director Dr. Cali Ellis and Policy Director Linnea Lassiter presented to SPD Before the Badge recruits about the CPC and its role in the police accountability system. Before the Badge is an innovative program that helps incoming potential SPD officers learn more about the communities they will be working in, before they attend the statewide Criminal Justice Training Academy.
Dr. Ellis speaks to new recruits every month, emphasizing the importance of accountability to effective, constitutional policing for Seattle residents.
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OPA shares results of community survey on police accountability
Last summer, the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) conducted a community survey to gather feedback on Seattle’s police accountability system—with special emphasis on communities facing disproportionately high police contacts.
Highlights include:
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98% of respondents said it’s important for the city to have police accountability;
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93% of respondents rated police accountability as “very important;” and
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96% of respondents said it’s important for Seattle to have a department that holds SPD officers accountable.
Read the report. We thank and applaud our colleagues at OPA for commissioning and sharing the results of this important community survey.
Check out these three recent events that the CPC Community Engagement Team attended. We hope to see you out in community soon!
BSafe Community Block Party
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CPC Community Engagement's Jo-Nathan Thomas recently attended this block party where youth and families in Rainier Beach gathered, engaged in fun activities, built positive connections, honored local youth lost to gun violence, and signed a pledge to be safe. Check out the photos and follow us on LinkedIn for more.
In response to recent youth gun violence in our communities, Mayor Harrell recently announced $2 million towards youth violence prevention in a new executive order.
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Filipino Community Village Forum
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Last month the CPC Community Engagement Team had a nice visit at this senior housing facility where CPC shared about our work, the police accountability system, and how the community can uplift their voice for reform.
OPA joined us in an open sharing forum with the residents. Residents shared about increased crime, SPD staffing levels, homelessness, graffiti, crime reporting and follow-up, language access, and more. Find more photos and follow us on Facebook for more.
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SPD North Precinct Advisory Council (NPAC)
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Our CPC Community Engagement Team member Jo-Nathan Thomas recently attended the SPD North Precinct Advisory Council (NPAC) meeting where he heard updates from SPD Capt. Lori Aagard and our very own CPC Commissioner Tascha Johnson, representing CHOOSE 180.
View the pictures and follow us on X for more.
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