The John T. Williams shooting has activated a lot of people who never spoke out before. The efforts of the Williams family and the Chief Seattle Club have been well noted, especially for their respectful approach to protesting.

Two of us took the opportunity to find the legislator in charge of changing the state law that let Birk off. We discussed the situation with Representative Hurst’s Legislative Assistant, covering the lack of training, our preference for body cameras on the Seattle police and not allowing police with less then three years training to patrol the streets. As it turned out, she was familiar with the properties of throwing knives, and how hard it is for the untrained to throw any knife or sword with any degree of accuracy.

If you want to get your comments in to Rep. Hurst, please email him at hurst.christopher@leg.wa.gov

We are also sending this resolution out via friends for are Democratic Party PCOs, asking for Body Cameras on the Seattle Police.

Resolution

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF REQUIRING SEATTLE POLICE OFFICERS TO WEAR BODY CAMERAS WHILE ON DUTY (APRIL 2011)

WHEREAS, the Seattle Police Department has demonstrated a history of some officers using excessive force and brutality and historically it has been difficult to prove in a court of law, and;

WHEREAS, recent events include the killing in August 2010 of a Native woodcarver with a shooting that a Seattle Police Department review has called unjustified, and;

WHEREAS, recent events also include in October 2010 the unnecessary kicking of a teenager in the head and genitals, and;

WHEREAS, Seattle residents who pay the salaries of Seattle police officers with their taxes have a right to know what the officers are doing on their work time and how they respond to potentially violent situations, and;

WHEREAS, the cost of body cameras can be recouped from litigation costs that will be avoided or reduced with camera surveillance, and;

WHEREAS, officers who are doing a good job will appreciate having their excellent work documented, and;

WHEREAS, many cities have deployed body cameras in our state, such as Lake Forest Park, Black Diamond and Orting, and cities across the nation are deploying this equipment, such as Cincinnati, Oakland and San Jose, and;

WHEREAS, this equipment will help officers learn what they could do differently and help the public understand what the officers face, creating a win-win for officers and the public,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the 36th District Democrats call for a requirement that all police officers wear a body camera during all hours they are on duty, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 36th District Democrats send a copy of this resolution to Mayor Mike McGinn, Seattle City Council Members, and Police Chief John Diaz.

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