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, which began its work in 2013. Four years later, under the City's landmark 2017 Accountability Ordinance, CPC was made permanent and its scope of responsibilities and authority broadened. While it continues to be responsible for its obligations related to the Consent Decree, it now also provides mandated ongoing, community-based oversight of SPD and the police accountability system.

There are three parts to the accountability system and they all work together in different ways to promote effective, constitutional policing. The partners include:

Together, these partners are mandated to offer critical analysis and advice to the City Council, Mayor, City Attorney, and each other, while also making policy recommendations and engaging in collaborative conversations with the Seattle Police Department.

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 15 Commissioners, with the Mayor, the City Council, and the CPC each appointing five. 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. 

Lars W. Erickson

Lars W. Erickson

Commissioner
Appointed by: Mayor
Term: January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2025

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Lars Erickson is the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications for the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. He has more than 25 years of experience in public and government relations, communications, and politics – serving over nine years as Senior Director of External Relations for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). In this role, Lars oversaw external and internal communications, government relations, community outreach efforts, strategic planning for special projects, and liaising with the Governor’s Office and partner agencies.

During his time at WSDOT, the agency received national recognition for its emergency/crisis communications efforts, social media engagement, and comprehensive user-focused website redesign. Lars’ experience also includes serving as Public Relations Officer at Pierce Transit, as Press Secretary for Gov. Chris Gregoire, and on multiple campaigns including Kerry/Edwards in 2004. Lars is a proud member of the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, appointed by the Governor, and also serves as a volunteer advance and press lead for the Biden Administration. 

 Commissioner.Lars.Erickson@seattle.gov

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Joseph Seia

Commissioner
Appointed by: Community Police Commission
Term: January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2025

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Joseph Seia, was born in Los Angeles, moved with his ‘āiga to Sāmoa and emigrated to Coast Salish Territory in 1994. He has 20+ years of experience in direct service, youth development work, and nonprofit leadership. Joseph champions systems change work the centers the leadership and history of most impacted communities to enact social change through coalition building, anti-racism organizing, and creating inter-generational leadership opportunities to co-design Beloved Community.

He currently serves as Co-Executive Director for Oceania Northwest providing social, cultural & economic support for Snohomish, King & Pierce County Pasifika communities. He also serves as the Community Development Director for Common Good Tacoma, an anti-racist coalition-based organization focused on healing justice, cultural belonging, and the abolition of poverty.

Rabbi David Benchlouch

Rabbi David Benchlouch

Commissioner
Rabbi
Appointed by: Seattle City Council
Term: January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2027

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Rabbi Benchlouch is a synagogue Rabbi and leader in the Sephardic Jewish community of Seattle, and involved in outreach, psychology, and education.

With 10 years of rabbinical and psychological experience in USA and South Africa, Rabbi Benchlouch has served the greater community, in all sectors of the population. 

Rabbi David received his rabbinic ordination from the Jerusalem Midrash Sephardi Rabbinical College and holds a Masters degree in clinical mental health counseling from Bellevue University. 

His hands-on experience with diverse populations enables him to connect and facilitate community-wide outreach.

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Vacant

Commissioner
Appointed by: Community Police Commission
Raven Nicole Tyler

Raven Nicole Tyler

Commissioner
Appointed by: Mayor
Term: January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2024

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Raven is an Army veteran, having served 7 years in the United States Army as a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear officer and an all-source intelligence analyst. Prior to her time in the Army, Raven was contracted as an intelligence analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency providing experience in mapping and predictive analysis. She currently works as an associate at NWP Consulting in Seattle, Washington.

As an active member in her College’s Social Justice Leadership Institute, she worked closely with social impact organizations in multiple states through volunteerism. During her undergraduate studies she was an intern and Unite Here Labor union, where she worked with union organizers to unionize the Baltimore-Washington Airport workers.

Raven studied Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Marketing, at Marietta College. She later attended Bowie State University earning a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy and management. Raven currently works at NWP Consulting where she works as a political consultant with a focus on campaigns, communications, and causes.


Commissioner.RavenTyler@seattle.gov

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Vacant

Commissioner
Appointed by: Seattle City Council
Term: January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2024
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Vacant

Commissioner
Appointed by: Mayor
Joel Merkel

Joel Merkel, Co-Chair

Commissioner
Assistant Attorney General, Washington Attorney General's Office
Appointed by: Seattle City Council
Term: January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2027

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Joel Merkel is an Assistant Attorney General in the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Washington Attorney General’s Office. Previously, Joel served for nearly a decade as a Deputy Prosecutor at the King County Prosecutor’s Office. Joel tried dozens of domestic violence and sexual assault cases while working closely with victims thrust into the criminal legal system, many of whom are from diverse and marginalized communities. Joel served on an office-wide Equity Action Work group to develop internal recommendations on criminal justice reform and racial equity. Joel also spent nearly six years as Legislative Counsel for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell in Washington D.C. and Seattle, carrying out oversight over multiple federal agencies, including complex investigations and legislative responses following the 2008 financial market crisis. Joel was appointed to the Commission by the City Council in 2022. 

Commissioner.Joel.Merkel@seattle.gov

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Vacant

Commissioner
Appointed by: Community Police Commission
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Le'Jayah Washington

Commissioner
King County Equity Now
Appointed by: Seattle City Council
Term: January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2024

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Le'Jaya Washington serves as Operations Specialist for King County Equity Now, where her duties include tracking policy projects and participating in panels and community events. Her professional experience includes working at Seattle C.A.R.E.S Mentoring, Cultivating the Genius of Black Children and the Black Community Impact Alliance. Previously, she served as assistant to the Deputy Coroner in the City of Pasco and interned in the Office of King County Councilmember, Larry Gossett. Her volunteer experience includes the Urban League, Central Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Tyree Scott Freedom School.

commissioner.lejayah.washington@seattle.gov

Mark Mullens

Mark Mullens

Commissioner
SPOG Representative
Appointed by: Community Police Commission
Term: January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2025

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Officer Mark Mullens was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio.  Before becoming a police officer,  Mullens worked for Intel Corporation, Microsoft and Airborne Express. He became a Seattle Police officer in 1990 and has worked in all precincts -- making the South Precinct his home for 29 years as a patrol officer.  

Officer Mullens has worked on the Anti-Crime Team and served as a Community Police Officer, working closely with El Centro de La raza and the residents of the housing program. He is also one of the original mountain bike patrol officers. 

In 2017, Officer Mullens was voted Officer of the Year for the South Precinct.

Officer Mullens serves as Shop Steward for The Seattle Police Officer's Guild (SPOG).

commissioner.mark.mullens@seattle.gov

Anthony Gaedcke

Anthony Gaedcke

Commissioner
SPMA representative
Appointed by: Community Police Commission
Term: January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2025

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Captain Anthony Gaedcke has been in law enforcement since 1994. During his time with the Seattle Police Department, he has held assignments in the Patrol Operations Bureau, the Professional Standards Bureau, and the Criminal Investigations Bureau. He is member of the Seattle Police Management Association (SPMA).  

commissioner.anthony.gaedcke2@seattle.gov

Arlecier West

Arlecier West, Co-Chair

Commissioner
Senior Human Resoures Business Partner, King County Council
Appointed by: Mayor
Term: January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026

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Arlecier West is the Sr. HR Business Partner with the King County Legislative Branch (Council). In this position, she leads recruitments for policy, Ombuds, and police accountability positions, which has given her insight to the needs for staffing employees around safety sensitive and community engaging roles.

Arlecier has held many positions in various community groups. Her favorite roles have been when she can be in the community, simply doing the work of serving and being a voice to those who aren’t always heard.

Arlecier enjoys watching movies from her childhood and wishes she was in Sister Act 2! She loves singing, writing songs, crafting, spending time with family and friends, and playing sports. Arlecier continuously challenges herself to grow in both her personal and professional lives as evidenced by completing degrees from both the University of Washington and Washington State University.

Arlecier.West@seattle.gov

Tascha Johnson

Tascha Johnson

Commissioner
Choose 180
Appointed by: Seattle City Council
Term: January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2025

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I am committed to working towards having safe and healthy communities by participating in the change work necessary to achieve meaningful police reform by improving operations and strengthening relationships within those communities.

As a community leader, I am constantly looking for ways to involve myself in my community. With an understanding the power that the community has through organizing and the creation of policy, we can work towards moving our communities forward. As the Associate Executive Director at CHOOSE 180, I have the ability to work towards the transformation of many young lives on a daily basis, while also working to transform systems by providing alternatives to youth detention and confinement and I am eager to put these skills to use in working with the Community Police Commission.

Commissioner.Tascha.Johnson@seattle.gov

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Erica Newman

Commissioner
King County Council Legislative Policy Staff
Appointed by: Community Police Commission
Term: January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2025

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Erica Newman is longtime resident of the City of Seattle.  For the past decade,  Erica has spent a large amount of her time helping individuals and families navigate the education and criminal justice system. She has worked as a legislative analyst for the Metropolitan King County Council and a legal administrative specialist for the King County Prosecuting Attorney. 

Her volunteer experience includes work with community organizations like Africatown, Antioch University, and the NAACP.

commissioner.erica.newman@seattle.gov

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 (OPA), the Inspector General's Office (OIG), the Mayor's Office, and other City agencies and departments.

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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Eci Ameh, JD
Interim Executive Director
Eci.Ameh@seattle.gov

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Dorian Waller, MPA
Community Engagement Director
Dorian.Waller@seattle.gov

woman in hijab wearing sweater

Mergitu Argo
Community Engagement Specialist
Mergitu.Argo@seattle.gov

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Taryn M. Darling, JD
Policy Director
Taryn.Darling@seattle.gov

Dani Sullivan

Dani Sullivan, MPP
Senior Policy Analyst
Dani.Sullivan@seattle.gov

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Devina Wijaya Moser, MA
Executive Assistant
Devina.WijayaMoser@seattle.gov