A Year of Growth, Grounded in Community

2025 marked an important year of growth for the Community Police Commission (CPC). We began the year with four staff members and ended it with nine, strengthening our ability to respond to community concerns and engage more deeply in policy work. As our capacity grew, so did our impact. Throughout the year, the CPC took on a wide range of work, including reviewing and making recommendations to City Council on the Seattle Police Officers Guild Collective Bargaining Agreement, proposing changes to Chief of Police investigations legislation, and recommending updates to SPD crowd management policies. We also urged City Council to decline the expansion of the surveillance technology pilot, reflecting feedback shared by community members. Beyond policy work, we focused on strengthening how we listen and respond to community. We partnered with Rainier Avenue Radio to produce public safety broadcasts, relaunched the CPC newsletter, created a community feedback survey, and developed an internal after-action form to document feedback heard in community, helping ensure community input informs our work. We also followed up on community concerns related to the SPD 2SLGBTQIA+ Liaison position, which has now been staffed. As we head into 2026, we are building on this momentum to deepen community relationships and continue advocating for those most impacted by policing. Below, watch the recently released Seattle Channel Director Spotlight, featuring CPC Executive Director Eci Ameh.

Watch The Director Spotlight

Policy in Action

After the Policy Team completed the CPC’s Statement on the SPOG Collective Bargaining Agreement, we reviewed and recommended changes to SPD policies. We reviewed two SPD draft policies, one including surveillance expansion and the Real Time Crime Center. Additionally, we reviewed and proposed edits to an SPD Directive concerning ICE enforcement and potential national guard deployment. The CPC’s recommendations were focused on including language that recognizes State rights regarding privacy and information relating to immigration, gender affirming care, and abortion care.

The CPC’s recommendations were informed by the many discussions the CPC has had with impacted community members and community advocates and organizations. We are grateful to the community members who have been reaching out to us for the past year to share their concerns and their recommendations. Community feedback is critical to the work we do.

We had productive conversations with SPD, and we hope the recommendations will be incorporated and will result in stronger protections for our most vulnerable and impacted community members. We invite concerned community members to reach out to us to share concerns, priorities, and feedback.

As we finish the year, the Policy Team will be working to summarize our 2025 work for the CPC’s Annual Report. This work will also inform our 2026 work plan, so that we are ensuring our work is on track to be more impactful for community members most impacted by policing and public safety policy in the City.

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 January 7 CPC Meeting

Connecting with Community

As December comes to a close, the Community Engagement (CE) team reflects on a year of meaningful work connecting with communities across Seattle. Throughout the year, the team focused on building trust, strengthening relationships, and creating space for community members to share concerns, feedback, and insights related to public safety and policing.

The CE team participated in a wide range of events and meetings, including conversations with newly recruited officers and community members, Seattle Housing Authority safety meetings, the Othello rally following a recent shooting incident, Building the Bridge, the Oceania Community gathering, the 2SLGBTQIA+ Advisory Council, and more.

Across these engagements, community members consistently raised concerns about neighborhood safety, gun violence and its impact on kids, seniors, and families, as well as traffic safety, particularly in South Seattle.

Residents emphasized the need for stronger trust and communication between officers and communities. They highlighted the importance of cultural understanding, respect for community norms, and awareness of historical experiences. Many called for SPD to engage more respectfully and intentionally with community members.

Community members also stressed the need for enhanced officer training in empathy, communication, and de-escalation, especially when interacting with BIPOC communities who face greater vulnerability.

Additional concerns were raised about the SPOG contract, with community members expressing that it does not align with SPD accountability.

Finally, residents shared a broader vision of safety, one that goes beyond police presence. They emphasized that access to affordable housing, employment opportunities, and food security are critical to reducing crime and creating safer communities.

Community Engagement remains at the heart of our work. As we move into 2026, the CE team is committed to deepening partnerships, listening with intention, and strengthening trust with communities most impacted by policing.

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

Mergitu & Mario at the the 2SLGBTQIA+ Advisory Council meeting in Capitol Hill, seated alongside Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth.
2SLGBTQIA+ Advisory Council | December 10, 2025

CPC staff attended an event and panel discussion hosted by the Office of Police Accountability.
Imagining the Future of Police Accountability in Seattle | December 11, 2025

CPC Executive Director Eci Ameh met with Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson to discuss the Community Police Commission’s work and the importance of community-led police accountability.

Join Our Next Meeting

Join our next CPC Monthly Meeting, February 4, 2026, 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