Seattle Police Use Excessive Force
For those of you who thought that members of the Seattle Police Department were too quick to use force or too heavy-handed when applying physical force, there are people in the U.S. Justice Department who agree with you.
This morning, the DOJ released a scathing report which alleges that SPD has engaged in an unconstitutional practice or pattern of excessive force when dealing with suspected criminals and other individuals. Among the findings issued in a DOJ press release are:
Through all of 2009 and 2010 and the first quarter of this year, almost 1 in 5 instances where SPD officers used force involved unconstitutional practices.
Batons, flashlights, and other similar weapons are often used too quickly by SPD officers in a confrontational situation.
About 4 out of every 7 cases where an SPD officer uses a baton, its deployment was either excessive or unnecessary.
SPD officers tend to escalate situations by using too much or unnecessary force in cases involving minor offenses. This phenomenon is especially true when suspects are under the influence of alcohol or drugs or are mentally ill.
The policies, programs, and procedures involving use of force guidelines have not been adequately explained, taught, or enforced by SPD. There is also insufficient oversight or review of cases which do involve use of force.
The Justice Department says that if SPD wants to avoid a federal lawsuit, the two parties must work out a mutually agreed-upon decree which sets forth specific measures that are designed to remedy the problems addressed in the DOJ report.