WA Rep. Jayapal backs ‘transformative’ changes to policing

In a joint letter issued to Mayor Jenny Durkan and Chief Carmen Best, Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal voiced her support for “transformational” changes to the policing both in Seattle and across the U.S.

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“We believe this is the moment to enact meaningful and transformative change in the very nature of policing at the federal, state and local levels,” the letter reads, saying that cities should “completely rethink policing,” and redirect law enforcement funding to other community programs.

Jayapal, alongside a handful of Seattle City Councilmembers, state lawmakers, and more, also called to “end law enforcement’s violent response to ongoing demonstrations,” and to cease the use of crowd control methods like rubber bullets, tear gas, and flash bangs.

Citing over 15,000 complaints filed against the Seattle Police Department in the last two weeks, lawmakers emphasized their position that the use of “chemical agents” and rubber bullets doesn’t constitute a “proportional” response to protesters.

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“The onus should always be on law enforcement to de-escalate, stand down and above all, protect the lives of the people they are sworn to protect and serve, including those that are protesting,” the letter continues.

Seattle City Councilmembers echoed those sentiments Monday, with Council President Lorena Gonzalez labeling the current policing system as “fundamentally broken.” That came as Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda announced an inquest into SPD’s funding, with the intent to cut as much as half the department’s budget.

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