CPC's Key Takeaways from the New SPOG Agreement

The Seattle Community Police Commission (CPC) has sent a letter to the Seattle City Council outlining key points community members should know about the newly announced Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the City and the Seattle Police Officers Guild. If approved, the CBA will guide policing and accountability in Seattle through 2027 and shape how people experience public safety across the city, especially Black, Brown, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, immigrant, and disabled community members who continue to experience disproportionate impacts from policing.

The CBA covers the expectations for more than 1,300 officers and sergeants at SPD and outlines how their work and conduct are reviewed. These are the officers community members meet when they call 911 or interact with SPD in their neighborhoods. Because of this, the details of the CBA matter for everyday interactions between SPD and the people of Seattle.

One important update in the CBA clarifies when the 180 day timeline begins for reviewing officer misconduct. This change helps ensure the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) has the time it needs to carry out full investigations. The CBA also expands opportunities for civilian investigators to take part in misconduct reviews. In addition, officers who hold higher education degrees and/or multilingual skills will receive new incentives. These incentives can strengthen communication and improve interactions with community members.

The Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) team will also see changes aimed at improving civilian crisis response. Once the CBA is ratified, CARE will be a permanent part of Seattle’s public safety system. It will no longer face staffing caps. While CARE will be able to be dispatched directly in certain situations, there are express limitations on when they can do so that may limit services. Expansion of CARE, however, may increase access to civilian-led responses during moments that do not require an armed officer.

The CPC continues to have concerns about areas where the CBA falls short on accountability. The CBA keeps a heightened standard of proof that is required for the City to prove officer misconduct, which makes it more difficult for the City to discipline officers when harm occurs. Several elements from Seattle’s Accountability Ordinance are still not included, such as subpoena authority for OPA and the Office of Inspector General. The CBA also includes provisions which seek to limit the power of the CPC. Without these tools, the City’s accountability partners have fewer ways to ensure strong accountability.

As the City Council reviews the CBA, the CPC is encouraging elected leaders to maintain transparency and prioritize the experiences of those most affected by policing. The CPC will continue advocating for a public safety system that reflects community priorities, strengthens accountability, and builds trust between Seattle residents and the systems that serve them.

Read Our Full Letter to Council

Policy in Action

The CPC Policy Team joined CPC Staff to attend the NACOLE (National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement) conference this month, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was an incredible opportunity to learn about other police accountability organizations and the emerging issues they are addressing, and to learn about the impacts of that work in the city where George Floyd was killed. The Policy Team will be working with CPC’s Commissioner Workgroups to incorporate strategies and takeaways from the conference in our work.

In response to Commissioner requests to summarize its implications on policing in Seattle, the Policy Team undertook review and engaged in discussions with accountability partner, OPA, and other City stakeholders to evaluate the new Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiated between the City and the Seattle Police Officer’s Guild (SPOG). The Policy Team is supporting a CPC statement to City Council, before the Council determines whether it will ratify the agreement, on some of the CPC’s concerns regarding the Collective Bargaining Agreement and encouraging the Council to increase transparency, and ensure accountability, community engagement, and community perspectives on this agreement and before and during future negotiations with SPOG.

The Police Practices Workgroup, also had opportunity to share space with our accountability partners: SPD, OPA, and OIG at the November 20, 2025, workgroup, where guests from the Independent Force Investigative Team – King County (IFIT – KC) informed the PPWG about IFIT-KC’s current contracted role to serve as an independent investigative review panel of SPD incidents involving use of deadly force by an officer.

We anticipate and look forward to follow-up discussions with our accountability partners, to increase our understanding of the intersections of concurrent and independent investigations handled by OPA and SPD, to better inform our understanding, our community, and the work we do.  

Take the CPC's Community Feedback Survey

The CPC has launched a new Community Feedback Survey to hear directly from Seattle residents about their experiences and priorities for public safety. Your input will help guide the CPC’s recommendations, advocacy, and communication efforts as part of our ongoing community feedback loop.

This loop ensures that community voices continue to inform the CPC’s work and shape the conversations that move police accountability forward.

Take the Survey

Watch the Last CPC Meeting

Watch the November 5 CPC Meeting

Connecting with Community

November, the Community Engagement Team took every opportunity to connect with community members. Staff attended community events and meetings, the City Council’s public hearing, SPD advisory meetings, and a Seattle Housing Authority safety meeting.

Across these conversations, community members from throughout Seattle shared significant concerns about SPD response times and rising neighborhood crime. Many emphasized the importance of investing in housing, shelters, food security, youth programs, behavioral health services, and accessible community spaces rather than relying on surveillance or increased policing. Immigrant communities also highlighted fears related to ICE and scams targeting vulnerable residents. Residents additionally raised concerns about vacant buildings that attract unsafe activity and violence.

Overall, the community consistently called for compassionate, people-centered investments that address root causes, protect vulnerable residents, and build safety through care rather than punishment.

We will continue to engage with community members and elevate their voices as we work to improve policing policy and public safety in Seattle. Together, we can help build a safer and more inclusive city.

Here’s a look at our Community Engagement team in action across Seattle:

Mergitu & Mario with Community Builders from the Seattle Housing Authority and residents from High Point
Safety Meeting at Upton Flats Community Building | November 14, 2025

Mario & Mergitu with community members at Public Hearing on the 2026-2027 Budget
Public Hearing on the 2026-2027 Budget | November 6, 2025

CPC staff at the 2025 National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) Conference
2025 NACOLE Conference | October 26 - 30

CPC staff engaging in discussions and asking questions of panelists at the 2025 NACOLE Conference
2025 NACOLE Conference | October 26 - 30

Join Our Next Meeting

Join our next CPC Monthly Meeting, December 3, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Seattle City Hall, Room 370, or join virtually via Webex.

Learn More About Our Next CPC Meeting