Seattle council approves new policy on police crowd control weapons in 6-3 vote

In a decisive 6-3 vote, the Seattle City Council has enacted new policies regulating police use of less-lethal crowd control weapons, including tear gas, blast balls, and pepper spray. This legislation aims to clarify deployment protocols and is seen as a critical move toward ending federal oversight of the Seattle Police Department. Councilmember Robert Kettle asserted that the new rules complete the necessary reforms that were required under the federal consent decree. The legislation responds to community concerns about the potential for serious injuries caused by these weapons, with public testimony highlighting past incidents of harm. Under the new rules, tear gas can only be deployed if the mayor declares an emergency, and blast balls will require approval from the police chief.

Critics argue that the council is reversing previous protections put in place against these devices. The vote signals a shift in how Seattle manages public safety and police accountability, aiming to balance the right to protest with the need for effective crowd control. With this legislation, the Seattle Police Department will revise its crowd management policies and submit them for federal review within 60 days.