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.
Claudia D'Allegri
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Claudia D'Allegri is Vice President of Behavioral Health Services at Sea Mar Community Health Centers, where she has over 17 years of experience administering health programs. Sea Mar serves more than 153,000 clients in Washington State each year, the majority of whom are low-income. Claudia also chairs the Latino Civic Alliance, a statewide organization that focuses its efforts on civic engagement, conducting town hall meetings and working on legislation with the State Legislature.
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.
Melinda Giovengo
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Dr. Melinda Giovengo became the Executive Director of YouthCare in November 2006. She has thirty years of experience in developing and implementing re-engagement programs for out-of-school and homeless youth. Melinda speaks locally and nationally on youth homelessness, adolescent mental health issues, and child sexual exploitation and is published on issues concerning homeless youth and the impact of learning disabilities for hard-to-serve populations. She is a board member of the National Network for Youth and the National Youth Employment Coalition, and serves as the Government Relations Chair of YouthBuild USA. Melinda holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology.
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Ben Goldsmith
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Ben Goldsmith received a J.D. from University of Michigan and an LLM from Georgetown University, where he was an E. Barrett Prettyman Fellow in the Criminal Justice Clinic. During his time at Georgetown, he tried felony and misdemeanor cases in D.C. Superior Court and taught and supervised in the criminal clinic. Ben represents clients charged with homicide, created a comprehensive training program for new felony attorneys, is a frequent presenter to local and national defender organizations, and is an adjunct professor at Seattle University School of Law.
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Isaac Ruiz
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Isaac Ruiz is a trial lawyer and a partner with the firm Keller Rohrback L.L.P. in Seattle where he represents seriously injured people and insurance policyholders. He is the author of Washington's Insurance Fair Conduct Act: Cases & Analysis (2014), a leading insurance treatise. He serves as Vice President on the Board of the QLaw Foundation, which provides free legal services to members of the LGBTQ community. He also serves as the Chair of the Washington State Association for Justice's Insurance Section. Isaac holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Notre Dame Law School. He served as a judicial law clerk for Hon. Carlos F. Lucero of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Denver, Colorado.
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
Jay Hollingsworth
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013-2019
Jay Hollingsworth is part of the John T. Williams Organizing Committee.
Enrique Gonzalez
Appointed by: Mayor Ed Murray
Term: 2016 - 2018
Enrique Gonzalez is the Community Engagement Specialist for the Office of Police Accountability. He served as Co-chair to the Commission from 2017 - 2018.
Joe Kessler
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2018
Joe Kessler was a Seattle Police Captain. He was a Seattle Police Management Association member and filled the seat on the Commission reserved for that organization.
Josias Flynn
Appointed by: Mayor Ed Murray
Term: 2016 - 2017
Josias Flynn is a trial attorney who represents clients in a wide range of civil matters. Josias works on issues at the intersection of civile rights and public.
Kay Godefroy
Appointed by: Mayor Ed Murray
Term: 2015 - 2017
Kay Godefroy founded the Seattle Neighborhood Group in 1988 to provide community organizing support to communities overwhelmed by crime, specifically crimes related to drugs and gangs.
Taylor Hoang
Appointed by: Mayor Ed Murray
Term: 2016 - 2019
Taylor Hoang is an entrepreneur and leader in the Asian and business communities of Seattle. She is the Executive Director of Ethnic Business Coalition, a nonprofit committed to the long-term growth, sustainability, and success of immigrant and minority-owned small businesses in Washington.
Bill Hobson
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2014
Bill Hobson was the Executive Director of the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) since 1988 until 2015. He unfortunately passed away in March 2016.
Kate Joncas
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2014
Kate Joncas is the Deputy Mayor for Mayor Ed Murray. Prior to her position with the Mayor's office, she was President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association from 1994 until 2014.
David Keenan
Appointed by: Mayor Ed Murray
Term: 2014 - 2017
David Keenan had practiced at the global law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in complex litigation, until he was recently elected to King County Superior Court Judge.
Diane Narasaki
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2014
Diane Narasaki is Executive Director of Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS). She was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to serve on the Center for Mental Health Services National Advisory Council.
Tina Podlodowski
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2014
Tina Podlodowski is a former Microsoft manager and Seattle City Councilmember. She served on the CPC until Mayor Murray appointed her to Senior Policy Advisor.
Marcel Purnell
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2016
Marcel Purnell is the Program Coordinator for American Friends Service Committee.
Ron Rasmussen
Appointed by: Mayor Ed Murray
Term: 2013 - 2015
Ron Rasmussen is a Seattle Police Department Acting Captain. As a Seattle Police Management Association board member he filled the seat on the Commission reserved for that organization.
Jennifer Shaw
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2015
Jennifer Shaw is Deputy Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington. She is responsible for leading policy advocacy work and coordinating multi-disciplinary, high impact campaigns for civil liberties that involve legal, legislative, public education and mobilizing programs.
Kip Tokuda
Appointed by: Mayor Mike McGinn
Term: 2013 - 2013
Kip Tokuda was the former state representative for the 37th Legislative District and a tireless advocate on behalf of children and families. He unfortunately passed away in July 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 |
Bessie Marie Scott is the Policy Supervisor for the Seattle Community Police Commission. Prior to her role at the CPC, she served as the Strategic Advisor to the Housing Choice Voucher Program at the Seattle Housing Authority where she worked with a team of Housing Counselors who helped families locate housing units to lease with a Section 8 Voucher, and worked with Bailey Gatzert Elementary to assist homeless families access stable housing in the area, in addition to other special programs and strategic initiatives. Bessie has been working on policy related issues such as healthcare disparities issues affecting women and minorities and enforcing the Fair Housing Act by conducting secret shopping in the rental market, since leaving college and has been able to embed her knowledge of administrative law, project management and policy analysis into her professional work and career. She is an experienced program manager, research analyst, and project manager, with a focus and background in systems, organizational design, public administration, equity work, and social justice. She has a double BA in Law and Society, and Philosophy- with an emphasis in Criminal Justice and a concentration in Ethics and Public Policy from the University of California at Santa Barbara and is currently attending the University of Washington, Evans School of Public Policy and Governance for an Executive Masters of Public Administration.
Roxana Pardo Garcia
Community Engagement Director
206-684-8078
Roxana.Garcia@seattle.gov
Roxana Pardo Garcia is the Community Engagement Supervisor for the CPC. Prior to her role at the CPC, she served as the Community and Membership Director for the South King Council of Human Services and Leadership Development Director at the Auburn Valley YMCA. Roxana has been organizing and working with communities across the region since a young adult and has been able to embed her knowledge from participation in grassroots movements into her professional work and career. She is an experienced facilitator, organizer, public speaker, with a focus and background in racial, gender, economic, and social justice. Roxana is a board member of Para los Niños which supports Latinx Youth and Families in South King County and is the Community Engagement Manager for Thriving Artists. She has a BA in American Ethnic Studies and Diversity from the University of Washington.
Minty LongEarth
Senior Community Engagement Specialist
206-233-1520
Minty.LongEarth@seattle.gov
Minty LongEarth is responsible for the CPC's communications and community engagement. She previously served as Executive Director for South King Council of Human Services and as interim Executive Director at United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. A longtime member of the Seattle community, Minty has two decades of experience in facilitation, coalition building, development and community outreach, with a focus on inclusion and cultural competency. In addition to being an activist for topics related to multiculturalism and cultural nuance, Minty is a member of the Huy Advisory Board, which assists indigenous people incarcerated in Washington State.
Karen Chung
Policy Director
206-233-7244
Karen.Chung@seattle.gov
Karen Chung is a policy analyst conducting policy research and analysis for the CPC. Prior to joining the CPC, Karen worked for five years at the Council of State Governments Justice Center, providing technical assistance to states across the country to enact and implement reform legislation to reduce spending on corrections and lower recidivism. Karen previously interned with the Vera Institute of Justice, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, and the Prison University Project and currently serves as a dependency CASA in King County and on the board of the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care. She has a master's degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas and a bachelor's in History from the University of California, Berkeley.
Jesse Franz
Communication Advisor
206-684-4279
jesse.franz@seattle.gov
Jesse Franz is the Communication Advisor for the Community Police Commission. His responsibilities include managing the organization's media relations, social media and the CPC's website, among other things. Prior to being hired at the CPC, he was a journalist with media organizations across Washington State and California. Most recently he was a news producer with KCPQ in Seattle.
Tracy Whitlatch
Executive Assistant
206-233-2664
tracym.whitlatch@seattle.gov
Tracy Whitlatch is the Executive Assistant and is responsible for office management and administrative support. Prior to joining the CPC, Tracy worked 11 years for SPD beginning with 9-1-1 dispatch, and later supporting command staff, the Investigative Bureau and in SPD's public disclosure unit. In 2009 Tracy received the SPD Innovation Award which is "presented to a person or team that developed a creative solution or new program that embodied the characteristics of courage, risk-taking and/or perseverance, to address a long-standing problem." She also received the SPD Impact Award with the Narcotics Section, ProAct Teams. "This award is given to a team or unit that through their collaborative and innovative working style has made a significant impact on a crime or crime-related problem."