King County watchdog: Cultural change needed to alter police mentality

If Deborah Jacobs is correct that King County residents want their law enforcement to be guardians, rather than warriors, there may need to be a cultural change.

Jacobs, the new director of King County’s Office of Law Enforcement Oversight, told Seattle’s Morning News that a “huge issue” for police is the role they play in society.

Jacobs asked whether people want police to focus solely on high-profile crimes or also be responsible for everyday issues, such as people jaywalking.

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“If we decide we don’t want police to enforce those lower level crimes, then we as a community have to understand and accept consequences,” she said.

Those consequences, she said, could include more property crime and “teens running around doing things.” Lower level crime would have to be addressed in other ways, instead of just calling police.

“One of my observations is that officers are most satisfied when they’re helping people,” Jacobs said.

In her new role, Jacobs will be an internal watchdog, of sorts, looking over complaints and investigations to make sure they’ve all be thoroughly vetted. She describes the department as the “voice of the citizens.” Though Jacobs says the King County Sheriff’s Office has a history of good transparency, there are people pushing for an even more open agency.

“I find ‘good cops’ are in support of oversight,” she said, noting that people in law enforcement have a tough job; constantly being under public scrutiny.

Jacobs, who previously worked for the American Civil Liberties Union, started in her role on June 15. In this position, she will advocate for the residents of King County and work with Sheriff John Urquhart on potential changes within the department.

Last year, voters approved a charter amendment to broaden the authority of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight.

“There are a lot of models for citizen oversight … None are perfect and none accomplish everything citizens want them to,” Jacobs said. “But we’ll use the power of the office as best we can to see good outcomes. We’ll be both aggressive and collaborative.”

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