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. Those two documents are referred to as the Consent Decree. The Consent Decree is overseen by a federal judge and appointed police monitor who are charged with ensuring SPD's unconstitutional policing practices are corrected.
The Community Police Commission (CPC) was mandated under the Consent Decree to provide community input on needed reforms. The City of Seattle established the CPC by ordinance and it began work in 2013. Under landmark Accountability 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 Consent Decree, 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.
The CPC has 21 Commissioners, with the Mayor, the City Council, and the CPC each appointing seven. Commissioners represent the diversity of Seattle and include individuals from communities of color, ethnic and faith communities, immigrant communities, the urban Indian community, the LGBTQ community, and the business community. Commissioners 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.
Colleen Echohawk
Bio + -
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
Bio + -
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.
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.
Brandy Grant
Executive Director
Brandy.Grant@seattle.gov
Shayleen Morris
Policy Director
Shayleen.Morris@seattle.gov
Felicia Cross
Community Engagement Director
Felicia.Cross@seattle.gov
Jesse Franz
Communication Advisor
Jesse.Franz@seattle.gov
Nia Franco
Senior Policy Advisor
Nia.Franco@seattle.gov
Luiza B Montesanti
Policy Analyst
Luiza.Montesanti@seattle.gov
Emily Trbovich
Administrative Staff Assistant
Emily.Trbovich@seattle.gov