The King County Council
has approved sending 7 charter amendments to the November ballot.
Four of them pertain to issues of police accountability.
ACLU People Power
Police Accountability Working Group
recommends voting
YES on all:
1, 4, 5 & 6
Currently in King County, and across the country, there is momentum to reimagine what public safety looks and feels like for ALL residents.
However, the King County Charter has several legislative barriers that prevent our elected officials from acting to make meaningful change.
This November, we have the opportunity to pass 4 charter amendments that remove some of these barriers so that our Council can act in the public interest, and serve ALL their constituents fairly.
Without these amendments, structural change is virtually impossible, and the public has limited power to advocate for reform and accountability.
NOTE: The ACLU of Washington has not taken a position on any of the amendments. People Power is the grassroots arm of the ACLU - while we adhere to ACLU principles, we are volunteer-driven and do not work for or officially represent the ACLU. People Power activists work in and from their local communities to further civil rights and liberties for all.
1 - Inquests
Currently, the law is unclear about which deaths involving law enforcement require an inquest (a formal fact finding process). During the inquest process, county funded legal representation is provided to the law enforcement officers, but not to the families of the individuals who have died in their care.
WHAT it does: This amendment clarifies that an inquest is required when an “action, decision, or possible failure to offer appropriate care by a member of a law enforcement agency might have contributed to a person’s death.” It specifies that agencies include local or state agencies including jails or corrections. It also provides the option of a public defender for the family of the person who has died.
WHY we need it: To build public trust by ensuring that the families, the public and law enforcement are served by an inquest process they can understand and count on.
ACTION: Vote YES in November!
4 -
Office of Law Enforcement Oversight - Subpoena Authority
Currently, the Sheriff’s office can refuse to share information with the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) - our King County civilian oversight body.
WHAT it does: This amendment gives OLEO the authority to legally require (subpoena) the Sheriff’s office to share documents, witnesses and other evidence when investigating police conduct.
WHY we need it:
OLEO needs to be able to access information for effective oversight.
Subpoena power is an essential and standard oversight tool to ensure that police can be held accountable for their actions.
ACTION: Vote YES in November!
5 - Making the King County Sheriff an Appointed Position
In 1996 the King County Sheriff became an elected position. This is unlike the other department heads in the county government who are appointed. The Sheriff's Office provides direct policing to unincorporated areas and contract cities - only 25% of voters.
WHAT it does: This amendment makes the King County Sheriff an appointed position again.
WHY we need it:
Appointment gives those who are most impacted by the Sheriff a greater voice through their elected Council Members and the Executive since 7 of the 9 Council Members have constituents in areas policed by the Sheriff.
Appointment of the Sheriff opens the applicant pool to qualified people outside of King County, and those who wouldn’t choose to campaign.
Elections politicize the position and can cause internal strife when contested.
An appointed Sheriff is easier to hold accountable between elections.
ACTION: Vote YES in November!
6 - Structure and Duties of the Department of Public Safety
Currently, King County Charter language blocks the Council from being able to make any changes to how policing services are delivered to King County, and has the Sheriff negotiating with their own guild on behalf of public safety.
WHAT it does: This amendment allows the King County Council to modify the duties of the King County Sheriff’s Office or merge it with another county department, if appropriate. It also calls for the King County Executive to negotiate contracts with the Officers Guild instead of the Sheriff.
WHY we need it:
Prevents the conflict of interest created by the Sheriff negotiating with their own union.
Ties the duties of the Sheriff to county ordinance (that the Council can modify) in response to public demands for police reform.
ACTION: Vote YES in November!