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 I am deeply honored that the great people of Seattle
re-elected me to serve another term on the City Council.
We have created the Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee as a means to create not only the most effective public safety departments, but one that demonstrates its commitment to the constitutional and civil rights of all. I commit to developing cutting edge solutions to many of the challenges we have; not simple criticisms without solutions. I will work collaboratively with Seattle's Police and Fire departments, the Office for Civil Rights, civil liberty groups and members of our community, and make sure your voice is heard. High performance begins with a commitment to be a learning organization; a City that acknowledges where it can improve its conduct and willing to put in place
the right systems to measure and improve its performance. I want Seattle to be respected for its level of customer service and accountability to its public.
We must be inclusive and forward thinking in all of our transportation solutions, public safety investments, housing strategies, environmental initiatives and educational priorities. I encourage you to call me or speak with a member of my staff, all of whom are committed to making Seattle a great, livable community. Please take care.
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United States Department of Justice – Seattle Police Department
Civil Rights Pattern or Practice Investigation
My statement regarding the police reform settlement with the Department of Justice:
"As Public Safety chair, my primary responsibility is to make sure the Police Department has the resources and policies in place to exemplify effectiveness; that it becomes an organization that continues to improve and adopt the culture of a learning organization. Now, it will be absolutely critical for the Police Department's leadership to promote excellence in an environment subject to the scrutiny of a consent agreement. My job is to ensure all communities have the tools to hold the City and the Police Department accountable for any actions that violate a person's constitutional rights; it is not my job to Monday morning quarterback the substance of the agreement reached between the Mayor and the Department of Justice," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell.
"Next month, the Public Safety committee will be introducing legislation intended to give the Police Department unprecedented and unambiguous policy guidance on the Council's expectations regarding their public safety efforts irrespective of the reform settlement. It will be imperative that our officers continue to feel empowered to do their jobs effectively under the consent agreement.
"As a lifelong Seattle resident and someone who grew up in the Central District in the '60s and '70s, I am hopeful that the Police Department embraces the consent agreement as a means to effectuate positive change. I fully understand how a majority of officers who have modeled effective behavior in this community may have concerns about the impact of the consent agreement, but now is the time for their leadership to shine."
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May Day After-Action Report |
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| Community Police Commission (CPC) |
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) called for the creation of the Community Police Commission, a community board charged with reviewing and providing recommendations on areas of police reform. The Community Police Commission created by this Ordinance is intended to create an empowered commission that community members have long wanted.
More information about the Commission and to apply, click here. |
Charter amendment to require Council Reconfirmation of the Police Chief |
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Port Security Surveillance Camera Project |
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Job Assistance Legislation |
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I am proposing legislation to increase public safety and job assistance by reducing criminal recidivism and enhancing positive reentries to society by prohibiting certain adverse employment actions against individuals who have been arrested, convicted, or charged with a crime. We have over 114,000 people in our City with arrest records. Over 409,000 people in King County with criminal convictions. This legislation is consistent with our Race and Social Justice work, in that, for example, while African Americans are 3.6% of Washington's population, they account for nearly 19% of the state's prison population. Native Americans are 1.5% of the state population, but are 4.3% of the state's prison population. The issue becomes whether we should implement policies designed to assist all members of our society, particularly when we see disparate impacts that affects a person's ability to obtain gainful employment. States such as Hawaii and New York have examined this issue and taken state action because of the policy reasons stated above.
Click here to read more about the legislation. |
Appointment and Oath of Office of Erin Devoto as Chief Technology Officer of the Department of Information Technology |
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The Department of Information Technology (DoIT) manages technology tools and systems to help City government serve Seattle's residents and businesses. The Chief Technology Officer sets technology standards and strategies to ensure City government uses technology tools efficiently and effectively.
Clerk File 312730: http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~CFS/CF_312730.pdf |
Kathryn Olson - Director of the Office of Professional Accountability (OPA)
Appointment Process |
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The OPA Director is a civilian who oversees the intake, classification, and investigation of complaints, certifies investigative findings, and makes recommendations on disposition and discipline to the Chief of Police.
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Automated Gunfire Locating Systems in Seattle |
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This smart technology solution is called an Automated Gunfire Locating System and will help the police pinpoint the exact location of gunfire seconds after it occurs. The committee will examine a potential pilot project in specific neighborhoods in Seattle.
How will the Automated Gunfire Locating System work? When gunfire occurs outdoors, acoustic sensors will activate instantly and software will triangulate and identify the exact location of the gunfire. A gunfire and acoustic expert analyzes and validates the audio data and routes the alert to the police dispatch center. Within minutes, the police will receive critical information and arrive at the exact location of the gunfire knowing how many shots were fired, the original shooter's position, speed and direction of travel (if shooter moved) and exact time of gunfire.
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Appointment of Magdaleno M. Leno Rose-Avila as Director of the Office
of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs
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The Great Student Initiative |
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A City of Seattle effort to form new partnerships with information, communication and technology companies and financial institutions to provide low-cost, high-speed Internet access, computer, software and services for low-income students in the Seattle Public Schools, and create a steering committee to advance the goals of the Initiative. |
New Camera and Video Technology to Improve Public Safety |
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I am pushing Seattle to explore state-of-the art camera technology to assist the City's public safety efforts. On July 7th, I hosted a brown bag discussion in City Hall as part of a special Energy, Technology, and Civil Rights Committee. Watch the discussion here.
A survey conducted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police indicated that 50% of complaints against the police are withdrawn when video evidence is available. A pilot program in the United Kingdom involving head mounted cameras on police has received incredibly positive results. In the city of Plymouth in southwest England, footage recorded by officers was extremely useful in public disorder cases. People who might normally dispute charges decided not to after watching police video of their conduct. A similar pilot project is underway in San Jose, California, where 18 officers are testing the technology. The meeting featured demonstrations of the latest technologies and the discussion examined costs and benefits. The use of this technology will help our officers and our community, who often gain video evidence through random recordings made by the public.
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Breastfeeding Discrimination Legislation
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