May Day report critical of Seattle Police plan

An expert, independent analysis of Seattle’s May Day protests criticizes police commanders for lack of planning that led to confusion among officers and widespread violence and vandalism.

A day-long schedule of activities, including speeches and marches surged out of control during the noon hour as anarchists smashed windows and otherwise rampaged through downtown Seattle. Some carried hammers, others used sticks removed from protest placards as weapons.

From the report, it was “not a shining example of successful crowd management and protection of property.” The review, done by former Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief Michael Hillman, cited problems with planning and the deployment of officers.

The 62-page review credited Assistant Chief Mark Sanford for developing initiatives on crowd-control, calling that refreshing but then pointed out that police failed to implement the strategies during the May Day riot. It also blamed Seattle police for not starting to plan for the events until about one week before May Day.

The report offers 38 recommendations, including a suggestion that police plan for high-profile, annual events well in advance.

The Hillman report concluded that while some officers had received refresher training, there had been no department-wide training on crowd control since the disastrous WTO riots in 1999.

After a few hours of mayhem on May 1, 2012, police took control of the situation as Mayor Mike McGinn issued an emergency proclamation.

“Using the emergency powers of the mayor’s office, I am issuing an order for the limited purpose of giving the police the authority to confiscate items that can be used as weapons,” said McGinn during an afternoon news briefing last May 1.

Seattle Police Chief John Diaz is expected to talk about the report Wednesday morning before a city council committee.

During interviews for the Hillman report, officers reported confusion about how to respond and what type of force, if any, to use. The protests happened at a time when the Seattle Police Department was under the scrutiny of the U.S. Justice Department because of a pattern of excessive force.

Seattle Police also released a police department generated after action report.

In a statement, police spokesman Sean Whitcomb noted that “our officers performed professionally throughout the multiple events that day.” He said the department is working to make sure the experience gained from last year’s events is applied to May Day 2013.