Press Releases
If you would like to recieve press releases, please email jesse.franz@seattle.gov
CPC Co-chairs' statement on City's requeset for extension in Consent Decree case
July 10 - The Court ordered the City and Department of Justice to work with the Community Police Commission (CPC) and the Monitoring Team to find a way to fix the accountability issues in the police contracts by July 15th.
Five days before the deadline, the City has not yet held any meetings with all of the stakeholders mentioned by the judge.
CPC tracking developments related to Federal Judge's ruling
June 26 - Last week, Mayor Durkan informed the CPC Co-Chairs that the City had chosen a group of largely out-of-state consultants to assess Seattle's accountability system.
We don't know what mandate the consultants have been given. We do know that none of the four were involved in the hard work from 2013 to 2017 that culminated in the passage of Seattle's accountability ordinance, which was hailed by city leaders as a triumph and national model. Mayor Durkan also supported that legislation.
Statement on letter from community groups calling for a strong police accountability system
June 21 - Dozens of community groups including the ACLU of Washington and NAACP Seattle-King County stood up today and said they expect the City to keep its police accountability promises.
CPC statement on Federal Court Order
May 21 - While the Community Police Commission is still reviewing the Court's order, we're ready to work with city leaders to make sure Seattle has a strong police accountability system.
Judge Robart agreed with the CPC's position and, in doing so, is sending a strong message that the recent police contracts undermine accountability and must be improved.
Federal Judge agrees with CPC on police contracts
May 15, 2019 - Agreeing with the CPC, Judge Robart acknowledged that the police contracts weakened the accountability system and broke a promise that was made to the community.
CPC designates interim Executive Director
May 3, 2019 - The Community Police Commission has voted to designate Bessie Marie Scott as its interim executive director.
CPC statement on the delayed release of ruling to reinstate SPD officer
Jan. 17, 2019 - The City of Seattle has been working for nearly seven years under a Consent Decree to rebuild trust and confidence between the police and the community. The report in The Seattle Times on Monday that the Seattle Police Officer's Guild (SPOG) may have worked with City officials to delay the public release of the ruling in the excessive force case involving Adley Shepherd until after the City Council's vote to ratify the SPOG contract threatens to critically undermine the progress the City has made.
CPC Letter Regarding New Year's Eve Police-Involved Shooting
Jan. 1, 2019 - The Community Police Commission has sent the following letter regarding how Initiative 940 may affect the investigation of last night's police-involved shooting.
CPC Offers New Way Forward on Proposed Contract
Oct. 31, 2018 - The Community Police Commission met with the mayor's office and proposed a new way forward that will get officers fair pay now, while also allowing the city and police union to work together to protect accountability reforms the current proposed contract would give up.
CPC to Host Teach-in on Proposed Police Contract
Oct. 23, 2018 - The Community Police Commission is hosting a community meeting and teach-in about the proposed police contract.
CPC Response to Memo by Councilmember Gonzalez
Oct. 22, 2018 - We appreciate Councilmember Gonzalez's commitment to carefully examine the impact of the proposed SPOG contract on the 2017 Accountability Ordinance. We are concerned, however, that the request for analysis from the Inspector General and the Office of Police Accountability Director misconstrues the CPC's position.
CPC Recommends City Council Rejects Proposed Police Contract
Oct. 17, 2018 - The Community Police Commission voted today to recommend the Seattle City Council reject the tentative contract with the Seattle Police Officer's Guild (SPOG).
Proposed Police Contract Made Public
Oct. 15, 2018 - The tentative contract between the city and the Seattle Police Officer's Guild (SPOG) will be made public for the first time today.
Statement on WA Supreme Court I-940 ruling
Aug. 28, 2018 - While the police reforms of I-940 are now in the hands of the voters, the Community Police Commission repeats its call for the Seattle Police Department to take action now to update its use of force policy.
Older Press Releases:
- Court Says Seattle's Police Accountability Reforms Can Move Ahead 09-08-17
- CPC Letter to Monitor Request to Review of Draft Compliance Report 09-06-17
- CPC Letter to the City Requesting Information Regarding the Settlement with Former Officer Whitlatch 08-31-17
- CPC Response to Seattle Stands with our Muslim Neighbors Coalition letter 08-21-17
- Office of the Mayor and City Council News Release: Mayor Murray, Councilmember Gonzalez announce selection process for OPA Director, Inspector General 07-14-17
- Historic Police Accountability Legislation Passes, But Our Work is Not Done 05-22-17
- Community Stakeholder Letter to Council in Support of CPC Amendments 05-16-17
- CALL TO ACTION: Support Real Police Accountability and Community Oversight of SPD 05-09-17
- Public Notice - GESCNA Committee Meetings 02-06-17
- CPC Supports Police Accountability Structure in Mayor's Proposed Legislation, But Recommends Stronger Provisions 02-01-17
- Public Notice - CPC Meeting Date Change 01-31-17
- CPC Letter Regarding Safe Consumption Areas 01-26-17
- CPC Appoints New Leadership as Police Accountability Legislation Heads to City Council 01-11-17
- Allow City Council to Legislate on More Sweeping Reforms 08-02-16
- CPC Public Consumption Report and Recommendations 04-15-16
- CPC Statement Regarding SPD Statements About Ongoing Investigations 03-04-16
- SPD Community Engagement Assessment 01-13-16
- CPC Renews Request That City Not Implement a Body-Worn Camera Program Until State Laws Are Modified to Protect the Safety & Dignity of Community Members 09-23-15
- Joint Statement on Proposed Police Accountability and Civilian Oversight Legislation 06-29-15
- Clarification - CPC Position on Body-Worn Cameras and Proposed Legislation 02-13-15
- CPC Position on Body-Worn Cameras and Proposed State Legislation 02-12-15
- CPC Accountability Reforms 11-12-14
- CPC Issues Report on SPD’s Community Engagement 08-05-14
- CPC Will Issue a Formal Response to Dr. Melekian's Report to the Mayor 06-25-14
- CPC's Clarification of Data Presentation 06-02-14
- CPC Requests Timely Review of Shootings 05-16-14
- CPC Releases Accountability System Structure Recommendations 05-02-14
- CPC Releases Initial Recommendations on Police Accountability 04-25-14