Councilmember Lisa Herbold (District 1 – West Seattle & South Park) released the following statement after U.S. District Court Judge James Robart released an order finding the Seattle Police Department has remained in compliance with many of the requirements of the Consent Decree:  

“While progress has been made, our work is not yet done. Court supervision will remain in the areas of police accountability, including review of any collective bargaining agreement with the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG), allowing the City to continue negotiations with SPOG to address the issues flagged by the Court memorialized in Resolution 31855. The Seattle Police Department must also rebuild trust within our community, address serious concerns regarding racially biased policing, and revamp its response to protests.” 

“The Court is clear that SPD’s use of force during protests must be addressed, and the lack of sufficient safeguards is keeping the department out of full compliance with the Consent Decree. The Court has ordered the City to submit draft crowd management policies within the next 90 days, by December 6th. Those policies must include implementation of Ordinance 126422, passed in 2021.  

“Legislation that I sponsored, and the Council passed over 2 years ago, will be given consideration only in the final month I hold office. SPD was prepared to submit sooner. In the proposed agreement, the City informed the Court that SPD would be prepared to submit the policies within 60 days of approval of the March submittal. I urge Seattle’s future elected leaders to ensure meaningful, community-driven change, that I believe the Court supports, is realized.” 

“I thank officers who have worked to implement the Consent Decree. My hope is this allows Seattle to begin a new chapter in which our community, elected leaders, and police work together to truly reimagine what public safety looks like and implement new, more effective, more accountable approaches that work for everyone.”