McGinn appoints new police commission
SEATTLE (AP) - Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn has named the 15 members of a new commission to help guide changes at the police department in response to a Justice Department investigation.
The DOJ determined that Seattle police engaged in a pattern or practice of excessively using force, especially in low-level situations that might have been resolved verbally. In a settlement, the city agreed to create a community policing commission to help support reforms and promote community confidence in the police department.
The chairs of the commission are Lisa Daugarrd, the deputy director of The Defender Association, a public-defense agency in King County, and Diane Narasaki, executive director of the Asian Counseling & Referral Service.
Other members include Seattle Police Capt. Joseph Kessler, state ACLU deputy director Jennifer Shaw, and the Rev. Aaron Williams, senior pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church.
The DOJ determined that Seattle police engaged in a pattern or practice of excessively using force, especially in low-level situations that might have been resolved verbally. In a settlement, the city agreed to create a community policing commission to help support reforms and promote community confidence in the police department.
The chairs of the commission are Lisa Daugarrd, the deputy director of The Defender Association, a public-defense agency in King County, and Diane Narasaki, executive director of the Asian Counseling & Referral Service.
Other members include Seattle Police Capt. Joseph Kessler, state ACLU deputy director Jennifer Shaw, and the Rev. Aaron Williams, senior pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church.
I am afraid that it will cost Seattle a lot of money to clean up their police force and get them headed on the right track. If it was me I would sack the chief to start with. He has not responded with changes in the force to correct the way officers are acting with the public, over reacting in some situations, and performing illegal acts against the public. Now is no time for study but for action and changes. Fire some of these reactionary cops, set down some firm guide lines and severely punish those who act out of line and break that blue line that the cops use to protect the wrong doers.
I am curious how much money this is going to cost? Another "study" how about you just fire any cop that has caused the payout of city money for a lawsuit. Instead of repremanding them and putting them back on the street. OR getting rid of 1/2 the upper management in SPD and put them on the street.
He might as well include Tuba Man's killers in there as well. No wonder Seattle is such a dump. He's turned the police over to gang bangers and their ambulance chasing lawyers.
Good to see someone from the ACLU in the group. But this commission does nothing but make recommendations. McGinn will just ignore it and let the corrupt officers stay.
15 people huh..... c'mon man!! He could appoint 50 people and not instill public confidence. Until they get someone with some kahunas and start firing some of these bad cops instead of making cash settlements everything will remain the same. Geez, unfrigg'n believeable. I've said it before but I Â wonder if they really care about public perception.I mean to them , so what? They gotta make a showing to keep the gators somewhat at bay. If the rank and file really cared about public perception, they'd go to their union meetings and tell the leaders to quit backing the bad apples and weed them out like they would in any other line of work. The union I was in during my work career actually wanted me as a supervisor to let them know about members that were a problem. It makes it easier at negotiating timr for the contracts. Anyhow, yada yadda yadda and GO HAWKS!!
Every one of those civilian members of this "commission" should be required to ride with an officer for a minimum of one week straight. Every shift, every precinct. Maybe a foot patrol downtown on graveyard, or days in just about any part of the city.
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Maybe if they see what the officers have to deal with, they might see police work in a different light. Otherwise the whole thing is just a "feel good" idea.
 @Veteran Awesome idea.
what is the impact on the 20/20 program?
ACLU member is pretty gutsy though.
Yah, good ole clown town at it again..
Wag the Dog! It would make too much sense and be more fiscally responsible to eliminate and cut the cancer and failures... no - let's appoint 15 folks for oversight. Kiss me, pull my hair when you're *****ing us.
For cryin' out loud. Come on--a FIFTEEN member commission?!?! Typical Seattle government fashion, I suppose. Look for more paralysis by analysis. Not entirely surprised, as this is the same government who in 2010 had a 26 (yes, that's right, TWENTY-SIX!) member search committee to find a new police chief.
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Wow, what a sorry excuse for a government.
 @B-Town Guy And thirteen of them belong to the Cascade Bicycle Club.
More red tape , smoke and mirrors.
lol