back with links. seattle-focused. seattle's consent decree is not about correcting investigatory malpractice, but simple excessive violence and racial bias.
federal oversight means the consent decree is subject to national politics that may be alternately undermining (executive branch republicans promote impunity) or disinterested (executive branch democrats fear criticism of reform efforts).
the decree is also affected by national events and attention. the late nationally-motivated police reform efforts are running into roadblocks as officials claim those goals conflict with compliance.
notably, an internal police watchdog body created by the consent decree and charged with investigating officers, may only recommend action to the chief, who can simply reject it. the watchdog body is staffed by police and not civilians. there are some examples in the timeline above but here's one from last year.
and the police union is effectively able to write law that undermines oversight. the union contract actually supersedes city law on police accountability. this is a failure of the city council but was agreed upon by the overseeing judge.
after nearly a decade of effectively resisting federal oversight and reform efforts, spd has developed an attitude of total impunity. a protest marched to the SPOG office last year, and at no provocation was dispersed with teargas and impact munitions as officers blasted a pop country song over loudspeakers. https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2020/09/08/44432799/police-...
aclu has a timeline https://www.aclu-wa.org/pages/timeline-seattle-police-accoun...
federal oversight means the consent decree is subject to national politics that may be alternately undermining (executive branch republicans promote impunity) or disinterested (executive branch democrats fear criticism of reform efforts).
the decree is also affected by national events and attention. the late nationally-motivated police reform efforts are running into roadblocks as officials claim those goals conflict with compliance.
https://crosscut.com/2020/06/debate-over-policing-seattle-co...
https://crosscut.com/politics/2021/05/where-seattle-police-r...
notably, an internal police watchdog body created by the consent decree and charged with investigating officers, may only recommend action to the chief, who can simply reject it. the watchdog body is staffed by police and not civilians. there are some examples in the timeline above but here's one from last year.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-p...
and the police union is effectively able to write law that undermines oversight. the union contract actually supersedes city law on police accountability. this is a failure of the city council but was agreed upon by the overseeing judge.
https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2018/10/17/34045061/cpc-thr...
after nearly a decade of effectively resisting federal oversight and reform efforts, spd has developed an attitude of total impunity. a protest marched to the SPOG office last year, and at no provocation was dispersed with teargas and impact munitions as officers blasted a pop country song over loudspeakers. https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2020/09/08/44432799/police-...