47-553: The Seattle Police Department ( SPD ) is the principal law enforcement agency of the city of Seattle, Washington , United States. It is responsible for the whole city except for the campus of the University of Washington (which is under the university's police department). Law enforcement in Seattle began with the election of John T. Jordan as town marshal in 1869. The SPD was officially organized on June 2, 1869, predating
94-424: A roulette wheel and handed him an ax. The chief remained in office. In 1943, after many cases of soldiers returning to bases from Seattle with sexually transmitted diseases , the federal government threatened to take over policing in the city and enforce laws on prostitution and sex-work. After this, Chief Kimsey began a crackdown on prostitution. In the autumn of 1947, police Chief George Eastman reassigned
141-512: A "squad thing". In 1999, Seattle hosted the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference . The Seattle Police Department was criticized for failing to properly prepare for protest activity involving over 100,000 protesters that disrupted the conference. While the majority of protestors were not violent, some assaulted delegates and police, and destroyed property. The protest soon devolved into
188-595: A black pedestrian who had a golf club that he was using as a cane. She falsely claimed that Wingate had swung his cane at her and he was charged with obstruction and harassment and spent a night in jail. When video showed he had done nothing to provoke the officer, the police department apologized in January 2015. Whitlatch was later fired by Chief O'Toole. In March 2015, Officer Peter Leutz was fired after an investigation found that he sent three women he met on duty over 100 text messages in pursuit of romantic relationships. In
235-421: A crime to lie on the ground, where they were kicked and verbally assaulted; the incident was captured on a bystander's cellphone video. The police let the men go soon afterwards; the video prompted protests over racial tensions and a police department internal investigation. Several officers were suspended without pay and/or demoted, but not criminally charged. A civil lawsuit by one of the two men has been filed. It
282-469: A few months in the role and is not interested in holding the position regularly. Instead, she will collaborate with former SPD Chief Kathleen O’Toole to compile a list of qualified semi-finalist candidates for public review. In June 1901, Police Chief William L. Meredith was forced to resign by a Seattle City Council investigation that found he had taken bribes and allowed illegal gambling operations to flourish. Meredith then ambushed one of his accusers in
329-791: A fleeing car in Eastlake . In October 2018, Sergeant Frank Poblocki was demoted to officer after he sat for 40 minutes outside the workplace of a man who cursed him and called him names. Witnesses say he referred to this behavior as community policing . Police force Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.226 via cp1108 cp1108, Varnish XID 218682888 Upstream caches: cp1108 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 07:55:40 GMT Bertha Knight Landes Too Many Requests If you report this error to
376-409: A heavy weight tied around their necks. This was one of the first official accounts of police corruption and brutality in the city. In July 1935, the city council held hearings on the many gambling and prostitution dens in the city. The police chief claimed he had no knowledge of such activities in the city. Councilman Fred Hamley walked with the chief onto Fourth Avenue to an establishment that featured
423-483: A local drugstore with a shotgun and pistol. It went badly for him and he was killed by John Considine , his intended victim. In 1911, Police Chief Charles W. Wappenstein was ousted by a reform-minded mayor. He was convicted on state charges related to bribery, prostitution, and other vices. In December 1913, Governor Ernest Lister granted him a pardon. He died in 1931. In January 1967, the Seattle Times ran
470-479: A man he was attempting to detain. In September 2013, as a result of an internal investigation, the department suspended Faust for eight days without pay. On 13 July 2013, the department fired Lieutenant Donnie Lowe due to misconduct characterized as domestic violence and dishonesty. On 30 July 2013, Officer John Marion, threatened a reporter who was observing a number of policemen making an arrest. An internal investigation of Marion's behavior confirmed his actions. He
517-552: A man who allegedly drove away from a minor collision. When he found that the man was not home, he falsely told a woman at the home that the man had been involved in a hit-and-run in which a woman involved might not survive. This led to a chain of events which culminated in the man's suicide in June of that year. Kerby was later suspended for six days without pay. In July 2018, officers Kenneth Martin and Tabitha Sexton were fired after an October 2017 incident in which they shot 27 rounds into
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#1732780540303564-488: A mob of Seattleites in January, 1882. This event, along with the Anti-Chinese Race Riots of 1886 were associated with significant investment by the city into the police department. The State of Washington prohibited alcohol in 1916. Police Lieutenant Roy Olmstead began a bootlegging operation while employed by the police department. In March 1920, he was arrested by Federal prohibition agents and
611-412: A riot. In response, SPD used chemical agents and less-lethal weapons in an attempt to restore order. News footage of this response and of the rioting was broadcast worldwide. No protesters or police officers were injured seriously enough during the riot to require hospitalization. Chief Norm Stamper resigned amid the scrutiny of police response to the event. In 2001, riots broke out downtown during
658-410: A series of stories revealing a long-standing and widespread culture of corruption in the police department. Gambling dens, illegal bars and gay clubs were forced to pay protection to the local patrolman who kept half and passed to his sergeant who in turn kept half and passed the remainder along. Former homicide detective, Earl “Sonny” Davis, was accused of stealing at least $ 11,400 on Oct. 1, 1996, from
705-606: A shooting collided with a Cessna plane near Boeing Field . Both officers on board and both civilians in the plane were killed. In 1987, the Seattle Police Department created the modern mountain bike patrol units, paving the way for cities across North America to follow. In 2011, the United States Justice Department found that the department had engaged in a pattern of constitutional violations in its use of force. In 2012,
752-483: A violation of a clear and specific policy is not that serious if the officer is dealing with a difficult subject, losing patience, or passionate in believing that he or she did nothing wrong — however mistaken that belief may be." In March 2017, a duffel bag in the South Precinct was found containing a handgun reported stolen in 1990. In May 2018, Officer Matthew Kerby drove to a West Seattle house in search of
799-439: A written letter to Leutz, Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole wrote that he engaged in "serious and repeated abuse of authority, and an unsettling pattern of behavior, some of it directed at women who [he] knew from the outset, or learned early on, may have been especially vulnerable given turmoil in their personal lives." In November 2016, Officer Adley Shepherd was fired after he punched a drunk, handcuffed woman who kicked him while he
846-583: The Garrity v. New Jersey protection was found to have reduced the department's ability to supervise the use of force and hinder investigations. A spokesman for the SPD indicated they will fully comply with the DOJ inquiry to avoid a federal lawsuit. In late July 2012, the city and Department of Justice reached a settlement that included improved oversight, training and reporting. On 6 October 2012, Officer Eric Faust beat
893-605: The Mardi Gras celebrations. The riots resulted in one death, more than 70 hospitalizations, and 21 arrests. In July of the same year, Officer Jess Pitts stopped a group of 14 Asian-American students and instructors for jaywalking in the International District. The students alleged that Pitts lined them up against a wall and detained them for around 45 minutes while repeatedly asking if they spoke English. An instructor Andrew Cho claimed that another officer on
940-557: The Mardi Gras riots. Former detective Dale Nixdorf resigned after an OPA investigation sustained a complaint claiming that he sexually harassed and assaulted a woman who sought help after a domestic violence incident in 2003. According to a lawsuit filed in 2006, Nixdorf was assigned to drive her home and install one of the department's temporary alarm systems after the incident. Over the next couple weeks, Nixdorf allegedly called and visited her home repeatedly, claiming to be checking on
987-585: The Seattle Police Officers' Guild in labor negotiations. Sergeant Major Arnold "Arny" McGinnis (retired in 2012) is the only known SPD member to hold the rank.* After three years in patrol, officers can become candidates to transfer to a wide variety of specialty units and are also eligible to attend a weeklong detective school. After five years as a police officer, they can take a promotional examination. Every other year, civil service tests are administered for promotions. Tests are given for
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#17327805403031034-422: The belongings of an elderly man, Bodegard Mitchell, who was fatally shot by police during a standoff at a South Seattle apartment. Davis' ex-partner, Cloyd Steiger, testified he saw Davis pocket a bundle of cash - which Steiger initially believed to be about $ 100 - while the two were searching the apartment for evidence. Steiger further testified Davis asked him if he had a problem with taking money, referred to it as
1081-442: The city agreed to settle the matter, neither officer was punished and they continue on the force. In January 2014, Detective David Blackmer plead guilty to stalking his mistress after she threatened to reveal their relationship to his wife. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail. An internal police investigation was then launched to determine whether he should be fired. In July 2014, Officer Cynthia Whitlatch arrested William Wingate,
1128-556: The city to reverse Mayor Landes' actions. Following Landes term as acting mayor, she became the first elected female mayor of Seattle in 1926. Mayor Landes was a strict enforcer of anti-vice law and was critical of the SPD. Quickly thereafter, Chief Severyns described to the Seattle Union Record several cases of police brutality . One report included questioning suspects in a rowboat in Lake Washington with
1175-483: The crowd was again dispersed by flash bangs and tear gas, which the police said was in response to protesters throwing projectiles at officers. On Monday June 8 the police boarded up the precinct and withdrew from the building. Later that night residents declared " Free Capitol Hill ". On June 17, 2020, King County Labor Council delegates voted to expel the Seattle Police Officers Guild from
1222-501: The department blockaded the streets around the East Precinct which was located at the intersection of 12th Ave E and E Pine. They did this before a protest march approached the precinct. The march moved on after a short while. On Monday June 1 a much larger group of thousands marched from Westlake Plaza to the intersection of 11th Ave E and E Pine where the street was blockaded. This day the march did not move on. After several hours
1269-547: The incorporation of Seattle by the territorial legislature in December. Today it has a number of specialty units including SWAT , bike patrol , harbor patrol , motorcycles , mounted patrols , and a variety of detective units. The SPD has been under federal oversight since 2012, when policy and procedural reforms were instituted after a United States Department of Justice investigation found that SPD officers routinely used excessive force . Patrolmen are represented by
1316-548: The officer, rather than for jaywalking. The Office of Police Accountability (OPA) later sustained a single allegation of unprofessionalism against Pitts. The Seattle Police Officers' Guild membership later overwhelmingly passed a vote of no confidence in Chief Gil Kerlikowske , citing a double standard where Officer Pitts, a beat officer , was publicly criticized for the jaywalking incident but upper-level personnel were not held responsible for failures in handling
1363-458: The organization, following a demand pushed by many protesters. On August 11, 2020, it was announced that Police Chief Carmen Best would retire, effective September 2, 2020. Deputy Chief Adrian Z. Diaz succeeded Best in an interim capacity and was appointed to the permanent position on September 20, 2022. In January 2024, the City settled a lawsuit brought by 50 protesters who were injured during
1410-472: The police again used pepper spray and non-tear gas explosives to try to disperse demonstrators. Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant said “The police had come prepared to inflict violence without provocation.” By this time protestors had coalesced around demands of defunding of the police department by at least 50 percent, an expansion of investments in black and brown communities, and releasing all protestors. Nightly protests continued until June 7 when
1457-399: The police captain in charge of suppressing illegal alcohol sales after complaints such establishments were running openly. The chief took no steps to otherwise discipline the man. In November 1969, police Chief Frank Ramon retired after accusations that he had tried to stifle an investigation into gambling and government corruption. On June 21, 1974, a Seattle Police helicopter on its way to
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1504-463: The police ordered the group to disperse. When they did not they tear gassed the protestors. A similar gathering formed the next night. This was also ordered to disperse and tear gassed. On June 3, Mayor Jenny Durkan lifted the curfew that had been in effect since May 30. On June 5, Mayor Durkan banned the use of tear gas for 30 days without the approval of the Police Chief. On Saturday June 6,
1551-422: The protests for $ 10 million. On May 30, 2024, former King County Sheriff Sue Rahr was appointed Interim Police Chief by Mayor Bruce Harrell . Rahr was appointed to replace Chief Adrian Diaz , who was removed and reassigned to other special assignments within the SPD. Diaz was removed after he was named by at least six SPD officers in lawsuits against the department alleging discrimination. Rahr will only spend
1598-459: The rank of " Sergeant Major " was created and bestowed upon then-Sergeant Arnold "Arny" McGinnis. Sergeant Major McGinnis started working at the Seattle Police Department in 1962, holding the rank of police officer. He retired in July 2012 at the age of 75, reaching fifty years of service to the city of Seattle. He is the only member of the SPD known to hold the rank. On May 19, 2014, Kathleen O'Toole
1645-528: The rank of sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. Assistant and deputy chiefs are appointed by the chief from the management ranks. Officers may be promoted to sergeant after five years of experience with the department and passing the sergeant's exam. Lieutenants must have at least three years' experience as sergeants, and captains must have at least three years' experience as lieutenants. A bachelor's degree may substitute for one year of experience but can only be used for one promotional exam. The Seattle police force
1692-418: The real-time surfacing, visualization, analysis, and sharing of data across all necessary operational units of the police department. Organizationally, this was accomplished through the SPD's Real Time Crime Center , established in July 2015 using a combination of asset forfeiture funds and a federal government grant, which houses the technology, analytical support and command structure. On Sunday May 31, 2020,
1739-490: The scene Officer Larry Brotherton said to him "I've been to your country before, when I was in the Army", incorrectly assuming Cho was Vietnamese. Only one student was issued a citation , which was later dismissed. The student's attorney noted that because she said to Pitts "You wouldn't have stopped us if we had blond hair" and was the only one issued a citation, this showed that the ticket was issued in response to her antagonizing
1786-421: The security system while making sexually aggressive comments and asking for sex each time. The lawsuit also claimed that Nixdorf grabbed her buttocks and forced her to fondle him over his jeans. On May 22, 2009, SPD officer and hostage negotiator Eugene Schubeck shot Nathaniel Caylor in the face. Police were responding to a report that Caylor was suicidal and had locked himself in his apartment with his son. Caylor
1833-428: The shooting by the SPD's Firearms Review Commission found the shooting "unjustified" and cited Birk's tactical mishandling of the confrontation as being responsible for Williams' death. Birk resigned from the department, though prosecutor Dan Satterberg declined to file charges, prompting a protest by Williams' family and supporters. In 2010, detectives from SPD's Gang Unit ordered two Latino men suspected of committing
1880-447: Was established in 1869 with the election of John T. Jordan as the first town marshal. In 1883, the town marshal position was disestablished and replaced by an appointed position: the chief of police. By 1896, there were 43 police officers and 60,000 residents. Officer David Sires was the first officer to be killed in the line of duty in 1881. The man accused of killing Sires, along with two other men accused of murder, were lynched by
1927-402: Was fired from his job with the department. After being fired, he continued to run a very profitable rumrunning business. Relying on bribery of police officers , Olmstead was able to avoid most conflict until his arrest in 1924. He was convicted in 1926 with twenty others in one of the first cases that used telephone wiretaps . Olmstead's case made it to the supreme court, where his conviction
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1974-400: Was given a single day of unpaid suspension. In August 2013, the city agreed to pay two brothers $ 38,500 for a case of abuse. The two men claimed they were targeted by Officer Michael Waters because he was upset at how they had treated him at a local bar. According to the claim, Waters and his partner used the pretext of looking for two bank robbers to humiliate and assault the two men. Although
2021-422: Was nominated to serve as Chief of the Seattle Police Department and was officially appointed on June 23, 2014. In 2015, O'Toole and others in the department developed and implemented a data-oriented policing strategy called "Agile Policing Strategy", influenced by agile manufacturing . The approach was developed to increase the responsiveness or agility of the department to address crime and disorder problems through
2068-533: Was putting her into the back of his police car. An arbitrator on the Disciplinary Review Board later attempted to reduce the firing to a 15-day suspension, but was overruled by a King County Superior Court judge. The case was again appealed to the Court of Appeals which upheld the previous ruling, writing that the arbitrator's decision to overturn Shepherd's firing "sends a message to officers that
2115-555: Was settled later in 2012 for $ 100,000. In December 2011, the SPD was subject to a U.S. Department of Justice investigation that found officers had violated the 14th Amendment and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. The DOJ found that SPD officers engaged in a pattern of excessive use of force that violated the Constitution as well as Federal law. Furthermore, the regular invocation of
2162-448: Was speaking to Schubeck from his patio, and was shot when he attempted to re-enter his apartment. In June 2015, the resulting use-of-force lawsuit was settled for $ 1.975 million, the largest such settlement in the city's history. In August 2010, SPD officer Ian Birk shot and killed Native American woodcarver John T. Williams . Subsequent grand jury findings on the level of threat posed by Williams were inconclusive but an internal review of
2209-567: Was upheld. He was released in 1931 and pardoned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935. In June 1924, Bertha Landes served as acting mayor while Edwin J. Brown was out of the city to attend the Democratic National Convention . In a newspaper story, Police Chief William Severyns said that the department had at least a hundred corrupt officers. Mayor Landes ordered the chief to fire one hundred officers. When he refused, Landes fired him. Mayor Brown rushed back to
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