Councilmember Bruce Harrell to consider Charter amendment to require Council Reconfirmation of the Police Chief

Home » Councilmember Bruce Harrell to consider Charter amendment to require Council Reconfirmation of the Police Chief

City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/19/2013

Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell

Councilmember Bruce Harrell to consider Charter amendment to require Council Reconfirmation of the Police Chief

Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, will facilitate a discussion this Wednesday to require Council reconfirmation of the Police Chief. The Police Chief is only subject to initial appointment by the Mayor and confirmation by the Council, but not subject to periodic reconfirmation. Currently 13 department heads are subject to reconfirmation but the Police Chief is exempted.

In 2006, the Council passed legislation and the voters approved eight additional department heads for reconfirmation, but the Police Chief was not included. In 2008, Councilmember Harrell conducted an extensive and thorough examination of Superintendent Jorge Carrasco, coordinating several large gathering sessions with employee groups, business customers and residential customers. The open and transparent process resulted in an evaluation process with established criteria that confirmed the Superintendent’s position. By requiring the Council to reconfirm the Police Chief, it affords the Council and the public an opportunity through a transparent process to review the Chief’s leadership, accomplishments, vision and decision-making approaches.

Voters would need to approve a Charter amendment to require the Council reconfirmation of the Police Chief.

WHAT: Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee

WHEN:

WHERE:ouncil Chambers, second floor
Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle 98104

WHO:
Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O’Brien

[View in Council Newsroom]