Seattle Police Department team takes on riot control, police reforms

Trying to overcome a long stretch of bad publicity and a
federal inquiry, Seattle police are announcing a
leadership team of 34 officers to implement new reforms.

Seattle Police Chief John Diaz says the leadership
team will focus on 20 previously announced police reforms
called the SPD 20/20 Plan.

“Ultimately, I’m accountable for implementing this
program and I believe with the men and woman that are
involved in this, they’re extremely talented, we are going
to make that committment happen,” said Diaz.

Police announced the members of the team at a news
conference Thursday at Seattle Police Headquarters.

Assistant Chief Mike Sanford says implementation
team members will focus on individuals reforms identified
in the SPD 20/20 plan. The first reform involves improving
the way police handle protests.

“And our goal as a police department is to figure
out the tactics that allow us to get past the peaceful
demonstrators to the criminals, as quickly as we can,
without intervening in the demnonstration. That is
complex,” Sanford said.

Other reforms spelled out in the SPD 20/20 Plan
include improving ways to de-escalate violent situations,
updating use-of-force standards, and increasing
transparency and accountability.

Mayor Mike McGinn insists the SPD 20/20 initiative
is separate from needed changes outlined in a U.S. Justice
Department investigation into excessive use of force by
Seattle Police.