2017 Police Accountability Ordinance
Summary
In 2014, after the reversal of several officer misconduct and disciplinary orders, the Community Police Commision (CPC) developed accountability system recommendations with input from civilian oversight experts and community leaders. Over the next several years, the CPC unsuccessfully attempted to implement these reforms via internal policy changes. In 2015, they advocated for passage of draft legislation to reform the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD’s) accountability system that had been stalled by inaction on the part of then-Mayor Ed Murray.
Finally, on May 22, 2017, the Police Accountability Ordinance was passed unanimously by the Seattle City Council and provided for key accountability measures:
Establishing a new fully independent Officer of Inspector General (OIG) outside the SPD
A fully independent Office of Police Accountability (OPA) with subpoena power and comprised of civilian supervisors and a mix of civilian and sworn investigators to improve internal investigations and SPD policies
Making the CPC a permanent community-led oversight body whose role is to engage with community and formally review and comment on any policy that affects public trust
This ordinance would also create strong policies around secondary employment, empower civilian investigations into police misconduct by allowing civilianization of misconduct investigations and subpoena powers given to the OPA and OIG, close loopholes such as the 180-day time limit on investigations, and address the flaws in the City’s current arbitration system.
Even so, the accountability measures were required to be collectively bargained with the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG). Unfortunately, on November 13, 2018, the Seattle City Council approved a new SPOG contract against the advice of 24 community organizations and the CPC’s recommendation. These community groups opposed the new contract that did not allow for key accountability measures contained in the 2017 Police Accountability Ordinance.
Importance
New SPOG contract negotiations, most likely to take place in 2022, will determine whether this accountability ordinance will finally be able to be implemented as intended. The Mayor, City Council, and City Attorney all play a role in these negotiations and/or the adoption of the new contract.
More Details
VIDEO LINKS
May 22, 2017: Full Council Meeting where the Police Accountability Ordinance was unanimously (8-0) passed
November 13, 2018: Full Council Meeting where the 2018 SPOG Contract was ratified (8-1)
December 5, 2019: Special Joint Meeting with Select Labor Committee & Community Police Commission where a Public Hearing on Collective Bargaining with the Seattle Police Officers' Guild was held
Acronyms
CPC - Community Police Commission
OIG - Office of Inspector General
OPA - Office of Police Accountability
SPD - Seattle Police Department
SPOG - Seattle Police Officers Guild