About Us
The 2010 shooting death by Seattle police of First Nations woodcarver John T. Williams, and a series of other serious incidents involving police and people of color, ignited public concern about bias and the use of excessive force in the Seattle Police Department (SPD).
After a federal investigation, the City of Seattle signed a settlement agreement and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to reform SPD practices, which established the work to be done to correct unconstitutional policing by SPD. The settlement agreement and MOU are overseen by a federal judge and appointed police monitor.
The Community Police Commission (CPC) was mandated under the settlement agreement to provide community input on needed reforms, with specific areas for its activities outlined in the MOU. The City of Seattle established the CPC by ordinance and it began work in 2013.
Under legislation adopted in 2017, the CPC was made permanent, its scope of responsibilities and authority broadened, and the number of Commissioners increased. While it continues to be responsible for its obligations related to the settlement agreement, it now is mandated to also provide ongoing, community-based oversight of SPD and the police accountability system.
Vision
We envision our communities and Seattle's police aligned in shared goals of safety, respect, and accountability.
Mission
The Community Police Commission listens to, amplifies, and builds common ground among communities affected by policing in Seattle. We champion policing practices centered in justice and equity.
Originally, the Community Police Commission (CPC) had 15 volunteer Commissioners appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Under legislation adopted in 2017, the CPC has 21 Commissioners, with the Mayor, the City Council, and the CPC each appointing seven. Commissioners should represent the diversity of Seattle and include individuals from communities of color, ethnic and faith communities, immigrant communities, the urban Indian community, the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer/intersexual/asexual community, and the business community. Commissioners should also include youth representatives, civil rights advocates, and individuals familiar with the challenges faced by homeless people and those with mental illness or substance abuse issues. Two positions are designated for public defense and civil liberties lawyers, one position is designated for a member of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, and one position is designated for a member of the Seattle Police Management Association. Commissioners live or work in Seattle. Due to the recent increase in Commissioners, there are nine vacancies at this time.
Emma Catague
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Emma Catague, a domestic violence survivor, is a dedicated advocate in ending violence against women and children. She has 30 years of experience in community and labor organizing, advocating for human rights, immigration issues, bilingual education, youth development, employment rights, and working for social change. She is a founding mother of the Asian Pacific Islander Women and Family Safety Center (APIWFSC), and former Community Organizer and Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Anti-Human Trafficking Advocate for API Chaya.
Colleen Echohawk
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Colleen Echohawk is an enrolled member of the Kithehaki Band of the Pawnee Nation and a member of the Upper Ahtna Athabascan people of Mentasta Lake. She is the Executive Director of the Chief Seattle Club, a non-profit dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless and low-income urban Native people in Seattle. Colleen is the founder of the Coalition to End Urban Native Homelessness. She is the co-founder and principal at Headwater People Consulting Group. Colleen serves on several local boards including, KUOW (National Public Radio member station), All Home Coordinating Board, Metropolitan Improvement District, Pioneer Square Preservation Board, and is the board chair of Red Eagle Soaring Native Youth Theatre, and past board member at the Chief Seattle Club.
Rev. Harriett Walden
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Rev. Harriett Walden has been a vocal advocate for better police-community relations in Seattle since she co-founded Mothers for Police Accountability in 1990. She has been appointed to and served on numerous task forces and commissions that involve efforts to improve and heal community-police relations and to achieve greater transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system.
Rev. Aaron Williams
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Rev. Aaron Williams is Pastor of Discipleship at the University Presbyterian Church and Vice-President of the United Black Clergy. His greatest wish as a religious leader is that we strive to create a "beloved community." He believes we must all work towards that end, and he's eager to work with the Mayor and other community leaders to make it a reality. Aaron served on the Police Chief Search Committee for the City of Seattle in 2009. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, and a Master of Theology with an emphasis in Systematic Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas.
Past Commissioners
Isaac Ruiz
Appointed by: Community Police Commission
Term: 2017-2019
Ben Goldsmith
Appointed by: Community Police Commission
Term: 2018-2019
Helen Gebreamlak
Appointed by: Community Police Commission
Term: 2018-2019
Claudia D'Allegri
Appointed by: Mayor Mike
Term: 2013-2019
Melinda Giovengo
Appointed by: Mayor Ed Murray
Term: 2016-2019
Jay Hollingsworth
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013-2019
Lisa Daugaard
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013-2019
Enrique Gonzalez
Appointed by: Mayor Ed Murray
Term: 2016 - 2018
Kevin Stuckey
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2018
Joe Kessler
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2018
Josias Flynn
Appointed by: Mayor Ed Murray
Term: 2016 - 2017
Kay Godefroy
Appointed by: Mayor Ed Murray
Term: 2015 - 2017
Taylor Hoang
Appointed by: Mayor Ed Murray
Term: 2016 - 2019
Bill Hobson
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2014
Kate Joncas
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2014
David Keenan
Appointed by: Mayor Ed Murray
Term: 2014 - 2017
Diane Narasaki
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2014
Tina Podlodowski
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2014
Marcel Purnell
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2016
Ron Rasmussen
Appointed by: Mayor Ed Murray
Term: 2013 - 2015
Jennifer Shaw
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2015
Kip Tokuda
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2013
Although the Community Police Commission (CPC) is independent, it works closely with others to engage with the community to advance measures that support effective and respectful policing.
The CPC partners with many community organizations. In 2013 it directly contracted with 13 organizations (through which 100 other organizations were also involved) to obtain insights about Seattle Police Department (SPD). All of these organizations are identified in the CPC's January 2014 Community Outreach Report. The CPC continues to partner with these and other groups to ensure that a wide variety of community perspectives about the police are heard.
Other key partners include SPD, the Office of Police Accountability, the Mayor's Office, and other City agencies and departments. The OPA Auditor is a very important partner and the CPC looks forward to partnering with the Inspector General for Public Safety (IG) when this position is filled. (The IG will take on the OPA Auditor's duties under legislation adopted in 2017.) The CPC also partners with the Seattle Police Monitor who oversees the settlement agreement and with the United States Department of Justice.
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Bessie Marie Scott |
Roxana Pardo Garcia
Community Engagement Director
206-684-8078
Roxana.Garcia@seattle.gov
Minty LongEarth
Senior Community Engagement Specialist
206-233-1520
Minty.LongEarth@seattle.gov
Karen Chung
Policy Director
206-233-7244
Karen.Chung@seattle.gov
Jesse Franz
Communication Advisor
206-684-4279
jesse.franz@seattle.gov
Nick Christian
Community Engagement Specialist
206-430-0083
Nick.Christian@seattle.gov
Alfreda Wilson
Administrative Specialist
206-233-2664
Alfreda.Wilson@seattle.gov