Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell

Media Advisory issued on Wednesday, 10/10/12:

SEATTLE – Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the City Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, will introduce and discuss legislation to establish the Community Police Commission by City ordinance this Thursday. The Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) called for the creation of the Community Police Commission, a community board charged with reviewing and providing recommendations on areas of police reform. The Community Police Commission created by this Ordinance is intended to create an empowered commission that community members have long wanted.

The Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology committee worked directly with community members to write this ordinance. This inclusive legislation is critical in demonstrating the City’s commitment to providing effective and constitutional policing for all of Seattle’s residents.

“This is a time when the building of trust between the Police Department, the Office of Professional Accountability and the public is a priority and we must demonstrate this by our action; not simply our talk,” said Councilmember Bruce Harrell. “This ordinance demonstrates that the Council takes seriously its obligations to serve the public faithfully and effectuate positive change.”

• Link to Community Police Commission Legislation (C.B. 117608)
• Link to Department of Justice Settlement Agreement
• Link to Memorandum of Understanding

WHAT: Special Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Council Chambers, Second floor Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle 98104

WHO: Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O’Brien