To end 13 years of oversight, feds asked to sign off on Seattle Police Departments new crowd control policies

Seattle has filed a motion to end over a decade of federal oversight of its police force, with Mayor Bruce Harrell highlighting the importance of restoring local control. This request follows a federal judge's ruling affirming the city's compliance with a consent decree established in 2012, which addressed issues of excessive force and biased policing. Earlier this year, the Seattle City Council approved new crowd control policies regulating the use of weapons, aligning with federal guidelines. The Seattle Police Department reported a decrease in use-of-force incidents, now comprising only 0. 17% of all dispatches.

City Attorney Ann Davison has sought court approval for the termination of the consent decree, underscoring the city's belief in the effectiveness of recent reforms. This change aims to further empower the community in overseeing local policing practices. The request for lifting oversight comes after public scrutiny of SPD's handling of recent protests. Furthermore, new SPD Chief Shon Barnes is scheduled to be sworn in, indicating a leadership transition within the department.