Blessing Ceremony For Totem Pole In John T. Williams' Memory

Blessing Ceremony For Totem Pole In John T. Williams' Memory

NAAC meeting location

The Native American Advisory Council has set a constant time and location. We will now be meeting every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm. We will meet at the Pearl Warren Building on the main floor, in the community room! Next meeting will be on May 18th and I hope to see you there.
I have requested that someone from recuiting be present and hopefully we can shed some light on how to best recruit in the Native community.

One Day Community Police Academy now open

For those who have an interest in the Community Police Academy but can’t make the time commitment SPD has developed a one day academy, which is a hybrid of the regular 10-week sessions. The one day Academy provides a brief overview of a number of classes given during the regular sessions. We hope that you will also consider attending one of the 10-week sessions.  Space is very limited for the One Day Academy. All applicants will be backgrounded. Be sure to sign your application and include a copy of your ID. Return your application by Wednesday, March 9th to Maggie Olsen. Date: April 9, 2011 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Location: TBA Cost: Free Sponsored by: Seattle Police Department Contact: Maggie Olsen (206) 684-8672  or margaret.olsen@seattle.gov

During this time of our discontent, we need to take a moment and

·determine the next step for all concerned. To be most effective in

educating our elected officials in knowing that we will not tolerate

the insensitivity towards the many people of color and our need for

justice;

we willjoin together as a strong unified community.

It is inconceivable that in our land of rules, laws and the

enforcement of those laws, we find that any elected official

charged with the responsibility of fairly deciphering those laws

would be blinded by words that would allow any individual in a

non-war setting to get away with the taking of an individuals most

important liberty; life.

Our prosecuting attorney has decided to hide behind the innocuous

words: .

reason we all decide to go to court is 1) to have our grievances

heard before a dispassionate Judge or jury and 2) to test the

argument/response of any defendant charged with that grievance.

The prosecuting attorney has denied the people the opportunity to

.test Ex-Officer Ian Birks' explanation of the Williams family's

grievance. This is unacceptable in our society and these times.

We all understand the enormous importance of law enforcement to

a civil society in helping establish a safe, decent and secure

community. We know the great duty involved in policing and the

many circumstances in which an officer may truly be in fear of

his/her life. No officer's family should be under the constant fear

of their loved one not coming home from their job. It is also

understood, that an every day law abiding citizen should not be

under the fear that one law enforcement officer can arbitrarily

without clear and imminent danger kill and not be absolutely

expected to face a jury of his peers (citizens at large) to determine

what was or should have been his proper response.

"in good faith and without malice". As we all know, the

It becomes the duty of the citizens of the County of King, to let the

present prosecuting attorney know that the last word will rest in the

hands of the county citizens to determine whether or not he will be

returned to office. The power of the vote is the greatest tool we

have to respond to ineffective representation and the appearance of

unfairness in carrying out the duties of that office.

Please hear this plea clearly in the prosecuting attorney's office,

do not expect you to mince or parcel words to think you can

placate us into thinking you have completed your very best

judgment in excusing this senseless taking of a life

the slightest effort to bring justice to these communities and to the

citizens of King County.

The African American Advisory Council and Native American

Advisory Council wishes to thank the Williams family and all of

their positive supporter's for all you have done to be a support to

one another and have still put your faith in that

come to a just outcome in time.

not in the Williams family favor they and all of us will continue to

be positive in pursuing a balanced society where justice in America

is enthusiastic and caring for all.wewithout evenall things will .Though the final decision was

SPD statement regarding OPA investigation

The Seattle Police Department Office of Professional Accountability (OPA) received a complaint of misconduct that occurred during the early morning hours of December 12, 2010.
An off-duty male Seattle Police officer and his male friend were at a nightclub in the Ballard neighborhood when they discovered that their coats were missing.  The off-duty officer noticed a woman outside of the nightclub holding the missing jackets.  The off-duty officer identified himself as a Seattle Police officer and informed the woman that she had taken two jackets not belonging to her and asked for them back.  The woman refused, claiming that the jackets belonged to a friend.  The woman began to walk away.  The off-duty officer called 911 and together with his friend followed the woman on foot.  Both the off-duty officer and his friend were attacked from behind by three male subjects unknown to them.
On-duty officers responded to the scene to restore order and investigate.  The first arriving officer did not immediately recognize the off-duty officer among the five men.  He decided to separate all five individuals by ordering them to the ground until back-up arrived.  The on-duty officer witnessed a melee that included the first subject and the off-duty officer’s friend both standing up but struggling with each other.  The on-duty officer separated them and proceeded to the two remaining subjects and the off-duty officer.  The off-duty officer was on his back on the sidewalk while the other two subjects were physically assaulting him.  He removed the second subject off of the off-duty officer.  At this point the on-duty officer recognized the off-duty officer as a colleague who worked in the same precinct but on a different watch.  While attempting to disengage the third subject, the first subject had come over and kicked the off-duty officer in the head.
Additional officers arrived on the scene.  With their assistance, all five men were separated and the scene was stabilized.  By this time the woman who had stolen the two jackets had left the scene.  As the investigation commenced, the off-duty officer made physical contact with one of the three handcuffed subjects.  The investigating officers prevented any further contact between the off-duty officer and his assailants.  The three subjects were booked into King County Jail and have since been charged with Assault in the 3rd degree.  The off-duty officer was treated on scene by Seattle Fire Department medics and received additional treatment at an area hospital.
In adherence to department policy, the investigating officers immediately reported the off-duty officer’s actions to their supervisor and subsequently the matter was referred to OPA.  On December 14, 2010 the officer in question was administratively reassigned.  The OPA referred the matter for internal criminal investigation and this remains active and ongoing.  The off-duty officer in question was hired in January of 2009.
The release of this statement is in direct response to an existing media inquiry.

SPD Chief Diaz at Seattle U Tonight

Community Police Academy

The Seattle Police Department is now accepting applications for the 2011 Spring SPD Community Police Academy (CPA).  The Academy will start on Thursday, March 24th and will meet once a week for ten consecutive Thursday evenings, ending on Thursday, May 26th.  CPA starts at 5:30pm and lets out at 9:15pm.  Participation is free. 

The Community Police Academy is a ten-week program designed to educate community members about the operations of the Seattle Police Department, while also giving the Department an opportunity to obtain valuable feedback from the community. The purpose of the Community Police Academy is to increase understanding between the Seattle Police Department and the community members of Seattle through education and interaction.

Community participants will become familiar with various facets of the Seattle Police Department and gain insight into law enforcement's role in the criminal justice system and the daily work of police employees. With increased understanding, Seattle's community and police can work together and achieve realistic solutions to neighborhood problems relating to crime, fear of crime, and neighborhood decay. It is hoped that increasing community awareness will respond to some of the myths and images of law enforcement and provide a realistic view of police procedures.

If you are interested in applying, please visit http://www.cityofseattle.net/police/programs/policeacademy/default.htm and scroll down for the application and mailing instructions.  Be sure to include a copy of your Driver’s License.  Space is limited and applications are processed on a first come, first serve basis.  The application deadline is Friday, February 11th.  If you have any questions, please contact myself at (206) 684-5758 or Margaret Olsen at (206) 684-8672, or e-mail margaret.olsen@seattle.gov