City can release names of Seattle cops disciplined for misconduct
Feb 28, 2012, 1:16 PM | Updated: 1:33 pm
A judge has ruled that the public has the right to know the names of Seattle police officers who have been disciplined for misconduct. (97.3 KIRO FM Photo/File)
(97.3 KIRO FM Photo/File)
A judge has ruled that the public has the right to know the names of Seattle police officers who have been disciplined for misconduct.
The decision by King County Superior Court Judge Dean Lum follows argument from the city attorney and the union representing police officers. The ruling backs up the policy of the police department, which began releasing the names in 2009.
In a statement, City Attorney Pete Holmes said he’s grateful the judge did not force the city to “sign away its obligations to be transparent and comply with the Public Records Act. Now we’ll work to ensure that all future contracts with SPOG are consistent with public records law.”
The Seattle Police Officers Guild argued the names should remain protected under a collective bargaining agreement. Guild attorney Hillary McClure declined to comment on the judge’s ruling.
The policy to release the names originated four years ago as a recommendation from a citizens panel as a way to hold police officers more accountable to the public.
