>>> GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK
YOU FOR JOINING US AND I
APOLOGIZE FOR THE DELAY.
IN A MOMENT, THE CHIEFS AND I
WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON LAST
NIGHT'S DEMONSTRATIONS.
FIRST, AS I DO EVERY TIME WE
HAVE HAD ONE OF THESE NEWS
EVENTS IN THE LAST FOUR DAYS, I
WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE REASON
WHY SO MANY PEOPLE ARE
GATHERING AND MARCHING IN OUR
STREETS.
>>> JUST OVER A WEEK AGO NOW,
FOR OFFICERS MURDERED A MAN BY
THE NAME OF GEORGE FLOYD.
THE MURDER WAS THE LATEST
EXAMPLE OF DEEP SYSTEMIC
INEQUITIES THAT HAVE PERVADED
OUR SOCIETY FOR THE ENTIRE
HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.
FROM SLAVERY TO TODAY.
THESE INJUSTICES HAVE EXISTED
FOR CENTURIES IN AMERICAN
POLICING AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM.
SYSTEMIC RACISM IS EXISTING AND
EVERY FACET OF OUR SOCIETY.
WEALTH DISPARITY, LACK OF
ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, LACK OF
ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
OR TO REAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
ECONOMIC JUSTICE TO HEALTH CARE
JUSTICE, MUCH OF IT HAS BEEN
DENIED TO SO MANY.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GATHERING IN
OUR STREETS IN SEATTLE AND
ACROSS THIS COUNTRY TO DEMAND
CHANGE, DEMAND JUSTICE AND
DEMAND THAT THE PROMISE OF
AMERICA, THE PROMISE OF AMERICA
NOT BE JUST A PROMISE FOR THE
PRIVILEGED FEW, BUT BE A PROMISE
FOR ALL.
>>> TOO MANY AND AMERICA AND IN
SEATTLE ARE TIRED OF WORDS AND
PROMISES.
WE MUST MAKE A REAL ENDURABLE
CHANGE.
IN COMMITTING TO THOSE CHANGES,
WE MUST ADMIT AND THE KNOWLEDGE
THE DEEP, DEEP SYSTEMATIC
RACIAL BARRIERS ARE REAL, AND
AFFECT AS I SAID EVERY SYSTEM
AND OUR SOCIETY.
FOR THE DENIAL OF TRUTH, THE
DENIAL OF TRUTH IS THE LIFEBLOOD
AND THE OXYGEN FOR THE
INJUSTICE NEEDS TO CONTINUE.
>>> WHEN WE COMMIT TO THESE
CHANGES, WE MUST ALSO COMMIT TO
CENTERING THE VOICES AND THE
EXPERIENCES OF THE COMMUNITIES
THAT HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT AND
LEFT BEHIND FOR GENERATIONS AND
ALMOST EVERY ASPECT OF OUR
LIVES.
FROM ECONOMIC JUSTICE TO CIVIL
JUSTICE, TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE,
TO EVEN ARE VERY LIFE
EXPECTATIONS.
FOR IN THE END, THE DEMANDS OF
THESE PROTESTERS MUST BE OUR
DEMANDS, THEY MUST BE OUR
COLLECTIVE DEMANDS.
FOR THE GREAT EXPERIMENT THAT
IS AMERICA, FOR IT TO WORK,
LIFE, LIBERTY AND HAPPINESS
MUST BELONG TO ALL.
NOT GRANTED BY OR JUST GIVEN
OVERCOME TO THE PRIVILEGED FEW.
TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT
HAPPENED LAST NIGHT.
>>> YESTERDAY BEGINNING AT AN
EARLY AFTERNOON, WE HAD PROBABLY
7000 PEOPLE GATHERING AND
MARCHING IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE.
BEGINNING DOWNTOWN THEY MARCHED
FOUR HOURS TO CITY HALL, TO
WESTLAKE MALL, TO CAPITOL HILL.
THEY SPOKE THEIR TRUTHS AND
GRIEF FOR THE MURDER OF MR.
FLOYD AND THEIR OWN COMMON
TRAUMA.
MOSTLY BIKE POLICE ACCOMPANYING
THE MARCH, OVER MILES AND 4
HOURS THERE WERE NO
CONFRONTATIONS.
I THINK THOSE DEMONSTRATORS AND
I THANK THEM IN PERSON TODAY.
FOR THEIR WORK TO MARCH
PEACEFULLY, TO PROTEST THAT
NEED TO BE PROTESTED AND TO
RAISE THEIR VOICES FOR A BETTER
PATH FOR JUSTICE.
LAST NIGHT THE DEMONSTRATIONS
CONTINUED AROUND PARTS OF THE
CITY, INCLUDING FIRST HILL AND
CAPITOL HILL.
THEY SPOKE FORCEFULLY ABOUT THE
CHANGES THAT NEED TO HAPPEN.
WE SAW SPD OFFICERS KNEELING IN
SOLIDARITY WITH PROTESTERS.
WE SAW POLICE AND PROTESTERS
SHAKING HANDS.
IN FACT, AT 8:15 AROUND THEN, A
FRIEND FROM NEW JERSEY OF MINE
THAT I WORKED ON POLICE REFORM
YEARS AGO, TEXTED ME TO TELL ME
THAT HE WAS WATCHING SEATTLE
AND HAD GIVEN HIM HOPE THAT WE
COULD GET THROUGH THIS AND
STILL BUILD A BETTER AMERICA.
THAT THERE COULD BE A WAY
FORWARD THROUGH THE PAIN AND
CHAOS TO A MORE IMPROVED CITY
AND SYSTEM.
>>> LATER THAT NIGHT, IN THE
SPAN OF JUST SECONDS, THINGS
CHANGED QUICKLY.
WHILE I WILL LET CHIEF BEST AN
ADDRESS THE SITUATION AND
CAPITOL HILL I WANT TO SAY A
FEW THINGS.
FIRST, AS THE CHIEF HAS SAID,
MULTIPLE TIMES AND I AGREE AND
BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE NO THAT
THE USE OF FORCE MUST BE RARE,
IT MUST BE NECESSARY AND IT
MUST BE PROPORTIONAL.
OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS
WORKED SO HARD TO INGRAIN THOSE
PRINCIPLES, NOT JUST IN
POLICIES AND TRAINING BUT IN
EVERY DAY CONTACT WITH THE
RESIDENTS OF THE CITY.
I SAW THE VIDEOS THAT MANY SAW
AND WAS CONCERNED THAT THINGS
HAD ESCALATED AND CHANGED SO
RAPIDLY.
I TALKED TO CHIEF BEST AND
UNDERSTAND THAT IT WAS A HIGHLY
CHARGED AND VERY FLUID
SITUATION.
BUT WE HAVE COME TOO FAR IN
THIS CITY ON POLICE REFORM AND
WE CANNOT SHIRK FROM AN HONEST
AND TRANSPARENT CRITICISM OR
REVIEW OF ANY POLICE ACTIONS.
I HAVE SPOKEN WITH BOTH THE
OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY
AND THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR
GENERAL WHO WILL EACH
INDEPENDENTLY REVIEW AND
INVESTIGATE SPD'S HANDLING OF
EVENTS YESTERDAY.
OPA OF COURSE LOOKS AT
INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS BUT OIG
LOOKS AT SYSTEMS AND THE OFFICE
OF INSPECTOR GENERAL HAS BEEN
OBSERVING AND PART OF LOOKING
AT WHAT HAS HAPPENED FOR THE
LAST FOUR DAYS IN REAL TIME TO
SET UP AND DETERMINE HOW TO
REVIEW, HOW WE RESPOND TO LARGE
EVENTS LIKE THIS.
I WELCOME THAT INDEPENDENT
REVIEW, I ALSO ASSURE THE
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL AND
OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY
THAT THE THEY NEED ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES DURING THIS PERIOD OF
TIME, TO HANDLE THE INCREASED
NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS, TO DO A
MORE THOROUGH REVIEW, THAT I
WOULD MAKE SURE AS MAYOR THAT
THEY HAD THE RESOURCES THEY
NEEDED TO DO SO.
BECAUSE THE TOUGH BUDGET SEASON
BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
THE PUBLIC AND THE PEOPLE
PROTESTING IN THE STREET AND
THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES OF
SEATTLE KNOW THAT WE WILL NOT
SHIRK AWAY FROM OUR OBLIGATION
TO THE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.
CHIEF BETA-TESTED WITH ME EVERY
STEP OF THE WAY ON THAT I WAS
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THOSE
REVIEWS IN PLACE.
ULTIMATELY, ULTIMATELY WE KNOW
THAT EVERY INTERACTION THE
PUBLIC HAS WITH THE POLICE
OFFICER EITHER HAS TO OR TAKES
AWAY FROM PUBLIC TRUST.
THERE IT EITHER ADDS TO OR
TAKES AWAY FROM CREDIBILITY.
I HAVE HEARD THAT FROM SO MANY
OFFICERS IN THE LAST FOUR DAYS
KNOWS THAT THE ACTIONS OF THE
OFFICERS IN MINNESOTA HAVE
RAISED QUESTIONS RAGING ACROSS
AMERICA THAT HAS DIMINISHED
TRUST IN EVERY POLICE OFFICER.
THEY KNOW THAT THEY'VE GOT TO
WIN THAT TRUST BACK, NOT JUST
THROUGH WORDS BUT THROUGH
ACTIONS.
IF WE HAD NEEDED ANY GREATER
PROOF THAT THE ACTS OF
INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS DIDN'T
DIMINISH OR UNDERMINE PUBLIC
CONFIDENCE, WE ONLY NEED TO
LOOK AT TODAY.
AND SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS
AMERICA.
THAT THE ACTIONS OF FOUR
OFFICERS IN MINNEAPOLIS,
MINNESOTA HAD SET OFF THIS FLAME
, IN CITIES ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.
I WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO
PEACEFULLY GATHER, TO BE ABLE
TO DEMAND CHANGE, EXPRESS
GRIEF, EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY
WITH ONE ANOTHER.
BUT WE NEED THEM TO DO IT
PEACEFULLY.
WE WILL DO ALL WE CAN TO PROTECT
THE CHURCH'S RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE
AND EXPRESS FIRST AMENDMENT
RIGHTS BUT WE WILL ALSO MAKE
SURE THAT WE MAINTAIN PUBLIC
SAFETY, PROTECT PEOPLE AND
PROTECT THE PUBLIC SAFETY OF
EVERY COMMUNITY.
>>> CHIEF BEST AND I HAD SO
MANY CONVERSATIONS OVER THE
YEARS AND WE KNOW AND AGREE AND
REAFFIRM THAT EVERY ENCOUNTER
POLICE, THEY USE AND TRY TO
DETERMINE HOW TO DE-ESCALATE AS
A FIRST STOP.
THE USE OF ANY FORCE, WHETHER
IT BE THE USE OF HANDS-ON
FORCE, OR PEPPER SPRAY OR
TEARGAS SHOULD ONLY BE DONE IF
CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE.
AT EVERY OFFICER NEEDS TO LEAD
WITH GRACE AND RESTRAINT.
AND I WAS SO LIKE MANY PEOPLE,
GIVEN HOPE WHEN I SAW THE TWO
OFFICERS IN THE PRECINCT TAKE A
KNEE AND TALK TO PROTESTERS AND
SHARE THEIR COMMON HUMANITY.
SPD WILL ALSO BE LOOKING AT
SEEING WHAT OPERATIONAL CHANGES
THEY NEED TO MAKE IN CROWD
MANAGEMENT TO DETERMINE A
BETTER WAY TO GO FORWARD AND TO
KEEP OFFICERS SAFE, COMMUNITY
SAFE AND PROTESTERS SAID.
>>> WE KNOW THAT THESE
DEMONSTRATIONS ARE CONTINUING,
NOT JUST IN SEATTLE BUT ACROSS
THE COUNTRY.
IT IS A HIGHLY CHARGED AND VERY
FLUID SITUATION.
SATURDAY I THINK IT REFLECTED
THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF
DIFFICULTY AND NO ONE WANTS TO
GO BACK THERE.
WE ALSO HAVE TO FIND A WAY
FORWARD THAT PEOPLE FEEL THAT
THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTEST
AND POLICE KNOW THAT THEY CAN
BE WITH PEOPLE WHO WILL
PEACEFULLY PROTEST AND NOT USE
FORCE.
>>> IT IS NOT JUST IMPORTANT
FOR US TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS
ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE SHORT-
TERM.
WE MUST ALSO ENSURE THAT IT
WORKS TOWARD AND IN WEEKS AND
MONTHS TO COME AND PROCESSES WE
PUT IN PLACE HAVE TO INCLUDE
COMMUNITY INPUT.
I WAS ABLE TO MEET WITH SOME OF
THE PROTESTERS TODAY WHO WANT
THEIR VOICE AT THE TABLE,
TALKING ABOUT THE CHANGES THEY
THINK NEED TO BE MADE.
THE CHIEF AND I WILL CONTINUE
TO MEET WITH THEM, TO LISTEN TO
THEM, AND TO INCLUDE OTHERS IN
THE COMMUNITY SO MANY ARE AT
THE TABLE, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF
THE COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSIN
WHO HAVE THAT FOR SPECIAL ROLE
IN OUR COMMUNITY.
OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS, I HAVE
HEARD MANY, MANY IN THE
COMMUNITY EXPRESSING A NUMBER
OF ISSUES, SOME OF THOSE WE
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN
TAKE OFF THE TABLE IMMEDIATELY.
>>> FOR EXAMPLE MANY HAVE
EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE
MORNING BADGES AND WE TALKED
ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE TWO POLICE
OFFICERS AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE
LOSS OF AN OFFICER.
BUT THE PUBLIC WANTS APPARENTLY
TO KNOW THIS BADGE NUMBER EVEN
IF THE NAME IS PRESENT.
SO CHIEF BEST AND I HAVE
DISCUSSED IT AND WE WILL CHANGE
THE POLICY OF SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT SO OFFICERS CAN WEAR
MORNING BADGES BUT THERE'S A
WAY THAT A BADGE NUMBER IS
ALWAYS DISPLAYED.
THAT WON'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT BUT
IT IS A CHANGE WE WILL MAKE.
>>> WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE'S A
SHIFT IN SENTIMENT RELATED TO
BODY WORN VIDEO VIDEO.
MANY PEOPLE ON THE STREETS
DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE BODY
WORN VIDEO HASN'T BEEN TURNED
ON.
MANY WHO HAVE BEEN AROUND US A
WHILE MAY REMEMBER THAT THIS
DECISION CAME BEFORE I WAS MAYOR
AND DISCUSSIONS WITH THE ACLU
AND THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE
MAYOR AT THE TIME THAT OUT OF
CONCERNS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, IT
DID NOT WANT TO HAVE PEACEFUL
DEMONSTRATIONS RECORDED.
I AM GOING TO ASK THE CITY
COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY
POLICE COMMISSION TO RECONSIDER
THAT POLICY TO SPEAK WITH THE
ACLU AND LISTEN TO COMMUNITY TO
DETERMINE WHETHER BODY WORN
VIDEO SHOULD BE ACTIVATED AT
ALL TIMES AND WHETHER OTHER
THINGS WE CAN DO TO PROTECT
CIVIL LIBERTIES.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE COULD HAVE A
RULE THAT SAID THAT ANY VIDEO
OF A LAWFUL GATHERING OR PEOPLE
PROTESTING COULD BE UTILIZED
ONLY FOR VERY LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR EXAMPLE, IF
THERE WAS A COMPLAINT AGAINST A
POLICE OFFICER FOR OPA.
OR IF THERE IS A CRIMINAL
INVESTIGATION FOR OTHER REGARDS.
WE WANT TO LIMIT THE ABILITY, I
DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE BUT I
THINK THAT ISSUE SHOULD BE
REVISITED AND I WILL AS THE
CITY COUNCIL AND THE CPC AND
ACLU WHO HAD REACHED THE
AGREEMENT TO HAVE THAT
PROHIBITION AND RESTRICTION, TO
LOOK AT WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE
A DIFFERENT POLICY GOING
FORWARD.
>>> AS I MENTIONED OVER THE
LAST FEW DAYS, THE MORNING
BADGES WERE USED TO RECOGNIZE
FALLEN OFFICERS.
IT IS THE POLICY OF THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT EVERY
OFFICER DISPLAYS THEIR NAME.
I HAVE ASKED AND THERE'S NO
CIRCUMSTANCE OR CASE THAT WE
ARE AWARE OF WHERE AN OFFICER
THAT WAS THE TARGET OF THE
COMPLAINT WHEN THEY KNEW THEIR
NAME, THEY COULDN'T FIND THE
OFFICER.
BUT IT'S A MATTER OF PUBLIC
CONFIDENCE.
PEOPLE BELIEVED IT WAS DONE FOR
DIFFERENT PURSES PERSON AND
IT'S AN EASY THING FOR US TO
CHANGE AND SO WE WILL.
WE WANT TO RESPECT THE HONOR
THAT POLICE OFFICERS GIVE TO
THOSE WHO LOSE THEIR LIFE IN
THE LINE OF DUTY.
THAT WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE
PUBLIC WANTS TO HAVE THE BADGE
NUMBER AND THE NAME.
WE WILL FIND A WAY TO GET THAT
DONE.
>>> I WANT TO WANT TO BE CLEAR
THAT I KNOW THAT WHEN I SAY THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS
MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN REFORMS,
IT IS TRUE.
SAYING THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT
WE ARE DONE.
I INVESTIGATED THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO.
AND SIGNED A CONSENT DECREE AND
UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THAT
HAVE BEEN INVOLVED.
BUT I ALSO WILL STATE AGAIN THE
GAINS THEY HAVE MADE ARE REAL.
BUT JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE MADE
REAL GAINS DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE
FINISHED.
NO ONE IS MORE CERTAIN OF THAT
THEN CHIEF CARMEN BEST.
SHE BELIEVES AND DEMANDS A
CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS
IMPROVEMENT.
WHEN SHE SEES OFFICERS,
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT
SHE BELIEVES ARE CONTRARY TO
THE COMMUNITY GOOD, SHE IS THE
FIRST PERSON TO DEMAND CHANGE.
>>> WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT
ACKNOWLEDGING PROGRESS, THAT
PEOPLE ALSO DON'T HEAR THAT THE
DENIES OF THE TRUTH, THE
COMMUNITIES HAVE FELT FOR
GENERATIONS.
OR THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RACIAL
INJUSTICE IN POLICING AND THE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
WE KNOW THAT THE PROMISE OF
AMERICA HAS NOT AND MADE REAL
FOR ALL AMERICANS.
THAT IS THE SOLEMN OBLIGATION
OF ALL OF US TO MAKE THAT MORE
REAL.
>>> WELL WE CAN SHOW YOU THAT
UNDER THE CONSENT DECREE AND
POLICIES AND TRAINING AND
ABETTING THE ABILITY FOR CRISIS
MANAGEMENT HAS MADE A
DIFFERENCE IN THE STREETS AND
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE
BEEN BECAUSE OF THAT WE ALSO
FEEL THE DEEP CONCERNS AND WE
WILL LISTEN TO THOSE CONCERNS.
THE WORK FOR REFORM ALWAYS
CONTINUES.
I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN POLICE
AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM FOR
ALMOST 40 YEARS.
YOU NEVER GET TO A FINAL
DESTINATION BECAUSE THE REALITY
ON THE STREET CHANGES OUR
NATION INVOLVES AND WE MUST
SHARE OR MAKE SURE THAT THE
SYSTEMS EVOLVE TO ACTUALLY BE
PART OF A SYSTEM OF JUSTICE.
>>> WHEN I MET WITH SOME
AFRICAN-AMERICAN LEADERS
EARLIER THIS WEEK, ONE OF THE
MINISTERS I TALKED TO SAID THAT
WHEN HE SAW THE DEATH OF MR.
FLOYD AND THE FOUR OFFICERS WHO
WERE INVOLVED, IT REMINDED HIM
OF THE AMERICAN SYSTEM'S.
THERE WAS ONE SYSTEM THAT
INTENTIONALLY KILLED MR. FLOYD.
TO WHO HELD HIM DOWN, AND
ANOTHER WHO JUST TURNED AWAY.
WE HAVE TO CHANGE THAT.
WE HAVE TO CHANGE IT IN OUR
HEARTS, INNER ATTITUDES,
INTERACTIONS, AND ARE SYSTEMS.
SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
FIRST, I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT
IT IS EXISTING POLICY IN THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND
WILL CONTINUE TO BE POLICY THAT
ANY ALLEGATION OF MISCONDUCT
WILL BE INVESTIGATED BY A
CIVILIAN LED, INDEPENDENT
OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.
THE OFFICE OF POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY HAS RECEIVED OVER
12,000 COMPLAINTS SO FAR SINCE
THE BEGINNING OF THESE PROTESTS.
OUR SYSTEM AND ACCOUNTABILITY
SYSTEM BOTH OPA AND OIG, WILL
BE TESTED.
AND THERE CAN NEVER BE A MORE
IMPORTANT MOMENT THAT THEY HAVE
THE RESOURCES AND CONFIDENCE OF
THE PUBLIC.
SO AS I SAID, WE WILL MAKE SURE
THAT WHEN THE BUDGET THE OPA
AND OIG HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY
NEED TO DO THE JOB THEY NEED TO
DO, TO GIVE THE PUBLIC THE
CONFIDENCE TO OVERSIGHT IS
THERE.
>>> SECOND THE OFFICE OF
INSPECTOR GENERAL PLACE A
REALLY CRITICAL ROLE IN
RECOMMENDING SYSTEMIC CHANGES.
OPA LOOKS AT INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS
AND OIG OFFICE OF INSPECTOR
GENERAL LOOKS AT SYSTEMIC
CHANGES.
IT IS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT
THING AND AN ONGOING BASIS, IN
MANY WAYS THE OFFICE OF
INSPECTOR GENERAL IS STEPPING
INTO THE SHOES THAT THE COURT
MONITOR HAS PLAYED.
TO BE A WATCHDOG, TO
INVESTIGATE, TO AUDIT, TO MAKE
SURE THAT THE SYSTEMS ARE
FUNCTIONING LIKE THEY SHOULD
AND THERE NEEDS TO BE SYSTEMIC
CHANGES, THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS
CAN BE MADE.
>>> ANOTHER THING THAT I OR
THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO AND
EXPLORE IS I GOT A QUESTION
FROM ONE OF THE REPORTERS STEVE
NURKIC OF THE SEATTLE TIMES WHO
ASKED WHETHER THERE WAS A WAY
TO BRING THE SEATTLE POLICE
OFFICERS KILLED AND CPC AND
COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO BUILD
MORE RECONCILIATION.
BETWEEN OFFICERS AND COMMUNITY.
I DO THINK THERE IS A WAY TO DO
THAT.
WE NEED TO HAVE THOSE KINDS OF
MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS AND
HAVE A RECONCILIATION PROCESS
BETWEEN OFFICERS AND COMMUNITY.
I REACHED OUT TO THE POLICE
OFFICERS GUILT AND WILL REACH
OUT TO THE CPC AND OTHER
COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SEE HOW WE
CAN BEST DO THAT GOING FORWARD.
>>> I ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE MUST
CONTINUE WORKING TO ADDRESS THE
RACIAL DISPARITIES THAT THE
HIGHLIGHTED IN THE DISPARITY
REPORTS BY SPD.
CHIEF BEST IS THE ONE WHO
BROUGHT TO ME AT THE BEGINNING
OF MY BEING MAYOR AND SAID ONE
OF THE THINGS SHE WAS CONCERNED
ABOUT WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT AS
WE DID THESE INVESTIGATIONS, WE
NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE VERY
IMPORTANT IMPACTS THAT RACIAL
DISPARITY CAN MAKE ON POLICING
AND REBUILDING PUBLIC
CONFIDENCE.
WE HAVE THOSE REPORTS BUT
THAT'S JUST THE BEGINNING.
IT'S WHAT WE DO WITH THE
INFORMATION AND THE STEPS WE
TAKE GOING FORWARD TO DETERMINE
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND REASONS
FOR THOSE, HOW DO WE BUILD IN
THE SYSTEM BETTER SO THE
DESPAIR IS THE DISPARITIES
DON'T EXIST.
THERE'S NO SYSTEM IN AMERICA
WHERE THERE ARE NOT
DISPARITIES.
BUT WE HAVE TO BE UNFLINCHING
IN OUR WILLINGNESS TO LOOK AT
OUR DEPARTMENT.
>>> I WILL SAY THAT WE WILL
CONTINUE TO MONITOR ALL THE
ACTIVITIES AS THEY GO AND THE
CHIEF IN REAL TIME IS TRYING TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BOTH
SUPPORTING PEACEFUL PROTESTS
AND THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE FIRST
AMENDMENT RIGHTS WHILE AT THE
SAME TIME ENSURING PUBLIC
SAFETY.
SATURDAY NIGHTS SHOWED HOW
THOSE TWO THINGS CAN SOMETIMES
WORK IN OPPOSITION TO EACH
OTHER.
WE HAD TWO VERY DIFFERENT TYPES
OF EVENTS GOING ON ALMOST
SIMULTANEOUSLY IN BLOCKS OF
EACH OTHER.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN DOWNTOWN
SEATTLE COMING TO PROTEST, NOT
JUST THE DEATH OF MR. FLOYD,
BUT THE TREATMENT OF PEOPLE OF
COLOR, PARTICULARLY BLACK
AMERICANS OVER GENERATIONS AND
TO DEMAND THAT IT STOP.
THEY PROTESTED, THEY TALKED,
THEY SPEAK THEY GRIEVE, THEY
SHARE THEIR COMMON TRAUMA AND
EXPERIENCE. AND THEY MARCHED TO
THE COURTHOUSE.
THERE WAS NO CONFRONTATIONS.
ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, MANY
OTHER PEOPLE CAME IN, A VERY
DIFFERENT INTENT ON THEIR MIND
AND WE SAW THE IMPACT OF THAT.
POLICING IN EVERY CONFINED PLACE
WITH THE TWO VERY DIFFERENT
REALITIES GOING ON WAS A
REALITY FOR THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND VERY FLUID.
THEY WILL HAVE TO ADJUST ON
EVERY DAY ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES
IN FRONT OF THEM.
I AM COMMITTED AND THE CHIEF IS
COMMITTED TO MAKE SURE WE DO
ALL WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT
PEOPLE CAN MARCH PEACEFULLY,
THAT WE AVOID ANY CRIMINAL
ACTIVITY BUT THAT WE ALSO DO
WHAT WE CAN AS A POLICE
DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY TO
ENSURE THAT THINGS ARE DE-
ESCALATED IF POSSIBLE.
>>> THE CITY IS LOOKING FOR
BETTER WAYS TO INCORPORATE
ACCOUNTABILITY, REFORM,
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN OUR
POLICE DEPARTMENT IN WAYS THAT
DON'T HAVE TO BE BARGAINED BUT
CAN BE DONE THROUGH A PROCESS
TOGETHER.
THAT WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE HAVE
A CONTRACT THAT EXPIRES AND
TOLD THE COURT THAT THERE ARE
FOUR AREAS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE FOCUS ON RELATED TO
ACCOUNTABILITY.
THE COUNCIL AND MAYOR TOGETHER
DECIDE PARAMETERS FOR THIS
NEGOTIATIONS.
BUT IT IS CLEAR FROM WHAT IS
HAPPENING ON THE STREETS THAT
W NEED TO LISTEN TO VOICE
MORE.
WE NEED PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT WORKS NOW AND LISTEN TO
THEM ON WHAT THEY THINK DEMAND
OTHER CHANGES.
SO WE WILL LISTEN AND CONTINUE
TO SET UP A PROCESS WHERE WE
CAN ACTIVELY ENGAGE COMMUNITY
AND A BETTER AND MORE
FUNDAMENTAL WEIGHT TO HAVE THEM
FEEL OWNERSHIP OF THEIR POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
MIGHT HAVE HEARD LOUD VOICES IN
THE STREETS TALKING ABOUT THE
NEED FOR CHANGE.
THAT I HAVE HEARD MANY, MANY
VOICES ALSO TELLING ME AGAIN
AND WOMEN OF THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
AND HOW WHEN THEY DIALED 911
THEY ARE THANKFUL THAT THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT OR POLICE DEPARTMENT
SHOWS UP WHEN NEEDED AND HELPS
THEM.
WE CAN BE PROUD OF THAT AS A
CITY.
BEING PROUD OF THEIR WORK DOES
NOT MEAN THAT WE DON'T ALSO
ACKNOWLEDGE WE CAN ALWAYS BE
BETTER.
AND ADDRESS CONCERNS THAT
PEOPLE HAVE AND ADDRESS
COMMUNITY TRUST.
>>> FUNDAMENTALLY, THE END OF
THE DAY, WE ALWAYS NEED TO
ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT HOW
CAN WE BE BETTER.
HOW DO WE DO THAT IN THIS
CONTEXT, HOW DO WE TAKE THE
ENERGY FROM THE RIGHTEOUS
MESSAGE WE HEAR ON THE STREET
AND TRANSFER THAT ENERGY INTO
CHANGE THAT IS DURABLE AND
SYSTEMIC AND BRINGS US ALL TO A
BETTER PLACE.
>>> I HAVE WORKED AS I SAID IN
POLICE REFORM AREAS FOR ALMOST
40 YEARS.
FROM THE SENTENCING GUIDELINE
COMMISSION TO TRYING TO GET
ALTERNATIVE INCARCERATION FOR
PEOPLE CONVICTED OF DRUGS. TO
SETTING UP DRUG COURTS, TO
WORKING ON OVERSIGHT PANEL THAT
CREATED THE NEED OF AN
INDEPENDENT CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT
AND OPA.
TO OTHERS THAT LED TO DIFFERENT
CHANGES AND FINALLY AS U.S.
ATTORNEY IN DOING THE
INVESTIGATION AND NEGOTIATING
THE CONSENT DECREE.
I AM FULLY AND 100% COMMITTED
TO MAKING SURE THAT WE CONTINUE
TO HAVE A POLICE FORCE THAT ACTS
AS A COMMUNITY PROTECTOR.
AS A GUARDIAN.
AND AGAIN, I THINK WE HAVE SEEN
OFFICERS ACT WITH A GREAT DEAL
OF GRACE BUT WE ALSO HAVE SEEN
WAYS THAT WE CAN BE BETTER.
AND BOTH OF THOSE THINGS CAN BE
TRUE AT THE SAME TIME.
THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE ANYONE
MORE DEMANDING OF POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY AND A STRONG
POLICE DEPARTMENT OR SHOWING
THE POLICE RESPECT THEN THERE
CHIEF CARMEN BEST.
SHE KNOWS IS I KNOW THAT TRUE
PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE END OF THE
DAY DOESN'T COME FROM A POLICE
FORCE.
IT COMES FROM TRUE EQUALITY.
TRUE EQUITY.
AND TRUE RESPECT AND DIGNITY.
THE BEST PUBLIC SAFETY IS EQUAL
ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, TO
EDUCATION, TO ECONOMIC JUSTICE.
KNOWING THAT YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY NOT ONLY WILL BE SAFE
BUT HAVE A SHOT THAT ANYTHING
YOU WANT.
THAT IS WHAT I WORKED FOR IN
TWO YEARS AS MAYOR AND DOUBLE
DOWN TO WORK FOR IT HARDER.
AND I KNOW THAT WE MUST
CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO THE
VOICES ON THE STREET.
WITH THAT I WILL GIVE YOU CHIEF
BEST.
>>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
THANK YOU MAYOR AND THANK YOU
FOR ALLOWING ME TO JOIN YOU
THIS AFTERNOON AS YOU TALK TO
MANY OF THE DEMONSTRATORS
OUTSIDE.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE AND REMEMBER WHY WE
ARE HERE TODAY.
WHAT BROUGHT US TO THIS POINT.
THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.
THE NATION AND OUR COMMUNITY
ARE ANGRY AND HEARTBROKEN.
WE ARE GRIEVING AND IN THIS
GRIEF, MANY PEOPLE ARE COMING
TOGETHER TO PROTEST AND
DEMONSTRATE.
WE AT THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT, WE SUPPORT THAT AND
WE SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF
EVERYONE TO EXPRESS THEIR
CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED FREE
SPEECH.
WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF
FACILITATING FREE SPEECH AT
PROTESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS AND
NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS
THOUGH, WE HAVE HAD THOUSANDS
OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO
DEMONSTRATE AND PROTEST AND WE
THANK THE MANY GROUPS WHO CAME
HERE PEACEFULLY AND PAYING
HOMAGE TO MR. FLOYD.
THE RIGHTEOUS TO SPEAK THEIR
VOICE IS SOMETHING WE WILL
HONOR AND CHERISH AS AMERICANS.
I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY OF OUR
OFFICERS AND COMMANDERS THAT
THEY TOO ARE OUTRAGED AND
DISMAYED BY THE OFFICERS
ACTIONS IN MINNEAPOLIS.
WE TAKE HER WITH OF OFFICE TO
SERVE AND TO PROTECT AND IT IS
A SACRED ONE.
I EVEN SAW ONE OF OUR OFFICERS
AND ONE OF OUR CAPTAINS AND
LIEUTENANTS TAKE A KNEE TO TALK
IT OUT AND THEY TOOK A KNEE
YESTERDAY WITH DEMONSTRATORS ON
CAPITOL HILL.
WHILE STANDING ALONGSIDE THEM
PHYSICALLY, MY HEART WAS WITH
THEM.
OUR CITY AND OUR COUNTRY, OUR
ACHING AND WE ARE ADDED TIPPING
POINT.
SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE.
WE NEED TO HEAL.
BUT JUST AFTER THIS DUTIFUL AND
WONDERFUL ACT OF SOLIDARITY,
OUTSIDE OF HER EAST PRECINCT
LAST NIGHT, ROCKS BOTTLES AND
OTHER PROJECTILES WERE HURLED
AT OFFICERS.
ONE OFFICER WAS STRUCK IN THE
FACE WITH A LARGE PIECE OF
CONCRETE.
AND SEVERAL MORE OFFICERS
SUSTAINED INJURIES.
IN THE ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE
CROWD THEY DID USE MUNITIONS.
I KNOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE
CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED
LAST NIGHT.
ALL OF THAT INFORMATION WILL BE
REVIEWED BY ANDREW MEYER BERG
WHO IS THE HEAD OF THE OFFICER
OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.
THERE'S A PROCESS HERE. FOR ANY
TIME AS THE MERE MENTION,
ANYTIME THERE'S A QUESTION
ABOUT POLICE ACTIVITY, ABOUT
FOLLOWING THE RULES OR
REGULATIONS, WE HAVE AN
OBJECTIVE INDEPENDENT
ACCOUNTABILITY PERSON OF THE
OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY
WHO WILL LOOK AT EACH AND EVERY
ONE OF THOSE CASES AND REVIEW
IT AND MAKE THE INITIAL
DETERMINATION SO WE HAVE ALREADY
MENTIONED OR MADE SURE THAT
ANDREW MYERBERG HAS THAT
INFORMATION AND AS WE NOTED
12,000 COMPLAINTS AND
EVERYTHING WILL BE REVIEWED AND
DOCUMENTED AND THE ANSWER
PROVIDED.
NOT ONLY TO THE PUBLIC BUT TO
ME, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT
WHENEVER THAT IS, MOVING
FORWARD TO INCLUDE CONDITIONS
AND IMPROVE AND REPROVE IMPROVE
RESPONSES.
START SINCE THE BEGINNING OF
THIS, WE HAVE MADE 86 ARRESTS.
THESE ARRESTS HAVE BEEN FOR
ASSAULT AND BURGLARY AND
OBSTRUCTION OF AND PROPERTY
DESTRUCTION.
WE FACILITATED DOZENS OF
PROTESTS EVERY YEAR.
IN MANY CASES AND IN MOST
CASS, WE DON'T ARREST ANYBODY.
THE PAST FEW DAYS THOUGH THEY
HAVE BEEN A VERY DIFFERENT.
THEY ARE DIFFERENT THAN
ANYTHING OFFICERS HAVE SEEN.
THERE'S BEEN RIOTING AND
LOOTING AND ATTACKING AND
AMBUSHING AND DAMAGING PROPERTY.
AND IN MANY WAYS CAUSING CHAOS.
AT THE SAME TIME, ON THE HEELS
OF THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE
WHO CAME JUST TO EXPRESS THE
RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH.
>>> WE ACCEPT AND RESPECT AND
HONOR THAT RIGHT BUT WE CAN'T
ALLOW PEOPLE TO COME INTO THE
CITY AND DESTROY PROPERTY AND
ASSAULT PEOPLE AND COMMIT
BURGLARIES.
THE ACTIONS OF A FEW ARE
OVERTHROWING A SINCERE MESSAGE
OF PEACE, A TYPE OF PEACE THAT
THE ENTIRE NATION NEEDS SO BADLY
IN ORDER TO HEAL.
FOUR OFFICERS SHOT DURING THE D
NIGHT OF VIOLENCE AND
DESTRUCTION.
IN LAS VEGAS, A POLICE OFFICER
WAS SHOT AND REMAINS IN
CRITICAL CONDITION.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE
ARE EXPRESSING OUR RIGHTS, AS
WE ARE SHOWING OUR RAGE AND
DISSOLUTION, THAT WE DO SO IN A
WAY THAT PEOPLE DON'T GET HURT.
WE ARE ALL WENT COMMUNITY AND
WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER.
WE NEED TO ACT THAT WAY AND
TREAT IT THAT WAY.
>>> I WILL ALSO REMIND YOU THAT
WITH THE CURFEW THAT WE HAD
DEPLOYED, IT WILL GO ON UNTIL
SATURDAY MORNING AT 5 AM.
NOT THE WHOLE TIME FROM 9 PM TO
5 AM WITH THE NEXT FEW DAYS
UNTIL SATURDAY MORNING.
WE ARE USING THIS AS A TOOL TO
HELP US MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN
DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP
ALL OF US SAFE AS WE ARE OUT
THERE IN THE FIELD WITH THE
PROTEST AND DEMONSTRATIONS.
>>> IN CLOSING, I WILL REMIND
EVERYONE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO
SUPPORT EVERYONE'S RIGHT TO
FREE SPEECH AND DEMONSTRATIONS.
WE JUST CAN'T TOLERATE THE ACTS
OF VIOLENCE HURTING ONE
ANOTHER.
HURTING PROPERTY AND DAMAGING
PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS AND
CARS.
IN SEATTLE, I KNOW WE ARE
BETTER THAN THAT.
I THANK YOU FOR THESE FEW
MOMENTS I'VE HAD.
THANK YOU.
>>> CHIEF SCOGGINS.
OF
>>>
>>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE MY
NAME IS HAROLD SCOGGINS FIRE
CHIEF.
THESE LAST FEW DAYS HAVE BEEN
VERY MOVING AND SEEING SO MANY
THINGS GOING ON AND SO MANY
PLACES AT THE SAME TIME.
FROM PEOPLE REALLY SPEAKING UP
AND VOICING THEIR THOUGHTS ON
CHANGE AND GROWTH IN ALL THOSE
THINGS TO THE DISASTER AND THIS
DESTRUCTION AND IT'S REALLY
BEEN HARD TO WATCH.
BUT I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU THIS
AFTERNOON I WAS INSPIRED A
LITTLE BIT. WE GOT A CHANCE TO
GO OUT THERE AND IT WAS
INSPIRATINAL TO SEE THE YOUNG
PEOPLE AND THE ENERGY AND
PASSION THEY HAVE FOR WORKING
TO FOCUS AND DRIVE CHANGE.
THAT WAS REALLY GOOD.
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS, WE
HAVE RESPONDED TO A LOT OF
EMERGENCIES.
LAST NIGHT OR YESTERDAY, WE
RESPONDED TO 18 EMERGENCIES AND
14 WERE MEDICALLY RELATED AND 4
WERE FIRE RELATED.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE
MAJORITY OF PROTESTERS BECAUSE
YOU DO WHAT WE ASK OF YOU
PROTESTED PEACEFULLY.
YOU KNOW YOUR WAY AROUND AND
EXPRESSING YOUR THOUGHTS AND
PUSHING TO DRIVE CHANGE.
DOING A GREAT JOB.
WE SEE IT AND WE APPRECIATED.
BUT I DO WANT TO REMIND
EVERYONE WHO IS OUT THERE THAT
WE ARE STILL IN A PANDEMIC.
WE IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD
BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES WITH PP
IN THE CITY FOR THE LAST THREE
MONTHS.
WORKING TO BEND THE CURVE.
WITH PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND
WEARING MASKS AND WASHING YOUR
HANDS.
AND THESE LARGE GATHERINGS HAVE
US CONCERNED SO HERE'S MY ASK.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN OUT IN LARGE
GROUPS AND PROTESTING, MONITOR
YOUR HEALTH AND MONITOR IF YOU
HAVE HEADACHES OR COUGHS THAT
YOU DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE, IF YOU
FEEL WE.
IF YOU HAVE A TEMPERATURE, ALL
THOSE THINGS, THESE ARE ALL THE
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19.
I WOULD ASK THAT YOU PULL BACK
FOR A LITTLE BIT.
ISOLATE AND QUARANTINE A LITTLE
BIT AND GET CHECKED OUT.
BECAUSE THESE ARE REAL
CONCERNS.
AS YOU CONTINUE TO PROTEST AND
MARCH AND EXPRESS YOUR FIRST
AMENDMENT RIGHTS, WE WILL BE
THERE TO SUPPORT YOU.
THE GOAL IS NOT TO GET THOSE
AROUND YOU SICK.
THANK YOU.
>>> THANK YOU CHIEF, THANK YOU
MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP.
I WOULD LIKE IT SAY A SPECIAL
THANK YOU TO THE ESSO
INTERPRETERS TO JOIN US TO
ADDRESS THE CROWD TODAY.
AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR TIME AND
THANK THEM FOR BEING HERE
TODAY.
>>> I WILL READ THE REPORTS TO
AT A TIME TO ALLOW TIME FOR
QUESTIONS.
THE FIRST REPORTER WILL BE
DEBORAH HORNE KIRO 7 FOLLOWED BY
KATE.
>>> DEBORAH HORNE THE FORAGERS.
>> INDISCERNIBLE QUESTION MAC
>> DEBORAH WE ARE HAVING A HARD
TIME GETTING AUDIO.
WE WILL CIRCLE BACK TO YOU.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO KATE
WALTERS.
THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> CHIEF BEST WANTED TO ASK YOU
ABOUT THE FLASH-BANGS.
ARE YOU DIRECTING OFFICERS TO
GIVE APPROPRIATE WARNINGS
BEFORE USING TACTICS LIKE
THAT.'S IS THIS REQUIRED AND
WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT WHAT
HAPPENED ON CAPITOL HILL LAST
NIGHT WHEN AN OFFICER -- WITH
THAT THE TACTICS ARE APPEAR TO
BE APPROPRIATE WITH THE
UNDERSTANDING THIS WILL HAPPEN
BUT YOUR REACTION.
>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING.
I EXPECTED THE QUESTION.
BY SMC SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE
AND ARE ON POLICY, OFFICERS
SHOULD GIVE A DISPERSAL ORDER
BEFORE USING FLASH-BANGS.
AS THE LAW STATES, IT IS WHEN
IT'S REASONABLE I'M SORRY, WHEN
FEASIBLE TO DO SO.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING
AND TAKE IT ON ITS OWN MERITS
OF WHAT HAPPENED AT THE TIME.
AND WHAT YOU EVALUATIONS ARE
BEING MADE.
KNOW THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT
WHAT HAPPENED ON CAPITOL HILL.
AND WE WILL BE LOOKING AT EVERY
ASPECT OF WHAT HAPPENED.
I SAW THE VIDEO THAT ALL OF YOU
SAW.
AGAIN DIRECTOR ANDREW MYERBERG
AND THE OFFICE OF POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY WILL BE
REVIEWING THE VIDEO.
ADDITIONALLY THERE'S A LOT OF
VIDEO FROM OTHER PLACES,
OFFICERS BODY CAMERAS AND WE
WILL REVIEW EVERY SINGLE THING
TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING
WAS WITHIN POLICY AND IF IT
WASN'T, MAKE SURE THAT WE HOLD
PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.
THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IS AS WE
GET COMPLAINTS, WE REVIEW
REVIEW.
WE LOOK AT WHAT WE CAN DO TO
MAKE BETTER TACTICS, AND MAKE
SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE FOLLOWING
THE RULES AND POLICIES AND
REGULATIONS AND LAWS OF THE
CITY.
ALL OF THAT WILL BE UNDER
REVIEW.
I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING AS
MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE
BUT WHAT I WON'T DO IS RUSH TO
JUDGMENT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
THOROUGH AND EVERYTHING WERE
LOOKING AT.
FULLY EXPECT IN SHORT ORDER
THERE WILL BE AN ANSWER TO YOUR
QUESTION.
I'M NOT DIRECTING AND I'M NOT
DIRECTING AT THAT MOMENT WHAT
HAPPENS.
I TRUST AND BELIEVE IN THE
LIABILITY OF THE CHAIN THAT THE
OFFICERS HAVE BEFORE THEY GO
OUT.
MAKE SURE THE THEY ARE
FOLLOWING PROCEDURES OF THE
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE.
>>> THANK YOU CHIEF.
THE NEXT QUESTION WILL BE FROM
DEBORAH HORN KIRO 7.
>>> [ INAUDIBLE QUESTION ]
>> WE WILL COME BACK.
DANIEL BEEKMAN, SEATTLE TIMES.
>>> THANKS VERY MUCH.
THIS IS A QUESTION FOR THE
MAYOR BUT ALSO THE CHIEF IF SHE
WANTS TO CHIME IN.
I HEARD THAT PROTESTERS AND
ORGANIZERS THAT YOU WOULD BE
BACK TOMORROW TO TALK ABOUT
CHANGES GOING FORWARD.
OTHER THAN THE BADGE ISSUE,
WHAT IS THE BIG SYSTEMIC CHANGE
THAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE
TABLE AND SOMETHING TO SUGGEST.
>> DAN, THANKS.
AND MEETING WITH THE
PROTESTERS, THEY MADE IT VERY
CLEAR THAT THEY WANTED THEIR
VOICES TO BE HEARD AND THEY
WANTED THE CHIEF AND I TO TALK
AND LISTEN TO THEM ON THE
CHANGES THEY THOUGHT NEEDED TO
BE MADE AND THEY WANTED A PLAN
FOR REAL CHANGE.
SO THEY WERE STARTING TOMORROW
AND WILL TAKE A PROCESS, WE
WANT TO MAKE SURE WE INCLUDE
GROUPS LIKE THE COMMUNITY
POLICE COMMISSION HAS DONE DEEP
WORK IN THE AREAS AND OTHER
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
MOST IMPORTANTLY WHILE WE'VE
IDENTIFIED CHANGES THAT WE WANT
TO MAKE TO THE DEPARTMENT, OVER
THE LAST YEAR THAT HAVE BEEN
PART OF BOTH PUBLIC PLEADINGS
AND SAID CANCEL HEARINGS, WE
WANT TO CENTER THIS ON THE
COMMITTEE'S VOICE AND
EXPERIENCE.
SO STRUCTURALLY, WE FIRST WANT
TO HEAR FROM THEM AND TALK TO
THEM ABOUT WHICH CHANGES ARE
MOST IMPORTANT.
AND ALSO, MANY OF THEM DON'T
KNOW WHAT PROCESSES ALREADY IN
PLACE SO FIND A WAY THAT WE CAN
REACH THE PUBLIC TO ENGAGE
COMMUNITY IN A WAY SO THEY
UNDERSTAND, FOR EXAMPLE, HOW
COMPLETE PROCESS WORKS, HOW
THEY CAN COMPLAIN OF HOW POLICE
ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
SOME OF THE THINGS THEY
SUGGESTED IS [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
AND IN PLACE AND SO WE HAVE TO
FIND WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE
THINGS IN PLACE AND THEN MAKE
SURE THE COMMUNITY KNOWS WHAT'S
AVAILABLE TO THEM.
>>> THANK YOU MAYOR.
THE NEXT QUESTION FROM JUSTIN
CARTER.
CAPITOL HILL SEATTLE.
>>> JUSTIN, WE ARE NOT GETTING
AUDIO.
THE NEXT QUESTION WILL BE
ROBERT SHAPED HER FOX NEWS.
>>> ROBERT SHAVER HAS DROPPED
OFF.
[ INDISCERNIBLE ].
>>> DAVID, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>>> THANK YOU.
UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE ARE
LIKELY TO BE CUTS TO BUDGETS,
CONSIDERING THE CORONAVIRUS, IS
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON THE
TABLE TO BE AMONG THOSE CUTS?
>> IS THAT TO ME?
>> YES, YOU.
>>> EVERY DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN
GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS TO FIND
PLACES TO CUT.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A
LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT BECAUSE
IT'S MOSTLY IN SALARIES.
WE WERE ABLE TO DO A NUMBER OF
SAVINGS IN THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR AND WE
REDIRECTED THAT MONEY TO
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
EFFORTS, INCLUDING DISRUPTION
OF VIOLENCE, PROVIDING MORE
OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH. WE WILL
CONTINUE TO LOOK AT NOT JUST
WHAT IS NECESSARY IN THE BUDGET
BUT I THINK THAT WHAT WE KNOW
FROM NOT JUST WHAT'S GOING ON
IN THE LAST FOUR DAYS, BUT I
THINK THIS PANDEMIC HAS LAID
BARE, AND PROBABLY THE MOST
STARK WAY POSSIBLE, THE DEEP
INEQUITIES IN OUR SYSTEM.
THE FIRST PEOPLE THAT FEEL THE
IMPACTS BOTH HEALTH WISE AND
ECONOMIC WISE ARE THE SAME
COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN
DISADVANTAGED IN EVERY OTHER
PLACE.
WE HAVE HAD TO IN VERY SHORT
ORDER HAD TO CHANGE AND ORIENT
HOW WE DO BUSINESS AS A CITY
WHERE BEFORE WE HAD SENIOR
PROGRAMMING AND SENIOR CENTERS,
SUDDENLY THE SENIORS COULDN'T
GO TO THE SENIOR CENTERS AND WE
HAD TO CHANGE IT TO AMILE
PROGRAM.
WE HAD TO PROVIDE GROCERY
VOUCHERS FOR PEOPLE, PROVIDE
FOOD FOR THE FOOD BANKS AND
GRANT RELIEF AND SMALL
BUSINESSES.
THIS BUDGET IS VERY MUCH GOING
TO BE A BUDGET THAT FOCUSES ON
FIRST, HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO
PROVIDE FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES
THAT HAVE BEEN MOST IMPACTED BY
THE ECONOMIC AND HEALTH OF WHAT
WE SEEN UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS.
AND CONTINUE THOSE PROGRAMS
THAT WE KNOW WORK IS THEN EVERY
DEPARTMENT WE HAD TWO THINGS AS
WE NEED TO DO TO THAT'S COVID
RELATED.
WHAT DO THEY NEED FOR BASIC
SERVICES, AND THEN WHAT ARE THE
OTHER THINGS THAT SERVE
COMMUNITY.
WE ARE GOING TO PARTNER OR
DEPARTMENT BY DEPARTMENT TO
MAKE SURE WE ARE FOCUSING
RESOURCES AND THAT WAY, IT WILL
BE BASED ON VALUES.
AND EVERY DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN
DOING THAT KIND OF ANALYSIS.
>>> THANK YOU MAYOR.
THE NEXT QUESTION WILL BE FROM
DEREK BARNETT.
>>> THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE
CHOSEN TO GO INSIDE TO MEET
WITH THE MAYOR IN CHIEF TODAY
THOMAS SOUNDED A LOT DIFFERENT
IN TONE AND EMPHASIS ON GOING
SLOW AND TAKING SMALL STEPS.
THAN MANY OTHER PROTESTERS THAT
WE WORK WITH SO FAR.
HOW ARE THEY CHOSEN AND
IDENTIFIED.
ON WHAT BASIS DOES THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE CONSIDER THEM TO BE THE
LEADERS OF THE PROTEST?
>> THE MAYOR OR THE CHIEF,
ERIKA?
>> TO THE MAYOR.
>> WE DID NOT SELECT THE
PROTESTERS CAME AND WE ASKED
WHETHER THEY ASKED WHETHER THEY
COULD MEET WITH THE CHIEF AND
I. WE SAID YES.
SO THEY CHOSE WHO CAME INTO THE
ROOM, WE DID NOT CHOOSE, IT
WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR US
TO DO SO.
WE HAD A BRIEF DIALOGUE JUST SO
WE KNEW WHO WE WERE TALKING TO
BUT THEY EMPHASIZED STRONGLY
THAT THEY WERE THERE AS
REPRESENTATIVE ONLY AND MANY
PEOPLE THAT THEY NEEDED OR WE
NEEDED TO GO BACK OUTSIDE AND
ADDRESSED THE CROWD.
IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO THEM
THAT WE DO SO AND NOT JUST MEET
IN A ROOM WITH A SELECT FEW.
THAT'S WHY YOU SAW BOTH THINGS
HAPPEN.
IT IS NOT MY ROLE AS MAYOR AND
THE CHIEF'S ROLE AS CHIEF OR
ANY OF US TO DECIDE WHO ARE THE
LEADERS OF COMMUNITY.
COMMUNITY DECIDES THAT AT EVERY
LEVEL.
THOSE ARE THE VOICES THAT HAVE
TO BE RAISED.
I ALSO THINK AS I SAID THAT
WHEN WE GO FORWARD AND REALLY
DETERMINE GOING FORWARD A
NUMBER OF THINGS TO DO IN THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT AND HOW WE
BUILD TRUST, IT WILL REQUIRE A
LOT OF DIFFERENT VOICES TO BE
HEARD.
THERE IS ARE SOME BUT NOT
EXCLUSIVE.
>>> THANK YOU MAYOR.
THE LAST QUESTION WILL BE FROM
YOU JEANNE JOHNSON, ASSOCIATED
PRESS SEATTLE.
>>> THIS IS JEAN. MAYOR DURKAN,
WHAT IS THE POINT OF HAVING
THIS 9 PM TO 5 AM CURFEW. IS IT
BEING ENFORCED AND HOW DOES IT
FIT IN WITH YOUR REQUEST TO THE
MARCHERS THAT THEY CONTINUE
MARCHING?
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I AM GOING TO LET THE CHIEF
ANSWER THAT QUESTION BECAUSE
AGAIN, BASED ON THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND THE CHIEF AND
BASED ON THE OPERATIONAL NEEDS
THAT THEY HAVE IS WHY THE
CURFEW CONTINUES.
YOU NOTICE IT HAS BEEN MOVED
LATER RATHER THAN STARTING AT 6
PM, NOW IT STARTS AT 9 PM.
THE CHIEF WILL ADDRESS THAT.
>> THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR
YOUR QUESTION.
I WANT TO TELL YOU, WE TAKE A
LOT OF THOUGHT AND CARE BEFORE
WE ASK AND 4 I ASKED THE MAYOR
TO IMPLEMENT THE CURFEW.
WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO BE
AN OPPRESSIVE FORCE AND WE
DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO NOT HAVE
THEIR FEELINGS BUT WE ALSO HAVE
A REAL DUE DILIGENCE AND
RESPONSIBILITY TO USE EVERY
TOOL WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE KEEP THE CITY SAFE.
I KNOW YOU PROBABLY HAVE NOT END
COLLEAGUES WERE OUT SATURDAY
NIGHT AND ON FRIDAY NIGHT WHEN
THERE WAS MASSIVE PROPERTY
DESTRUCTION, LOOTING, BURGLARIES
ASSAULTS.
SO WE REALLY NEED TO HAVE THAT
TOOL TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE
FALLBACK IF NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT
THE CURFEW AND REALLY MAKE SURE
THAT WE UTILIZE IT.
NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN
ALLOWING PEOPLE TO EXERCISE
úFREE SPEECH.
BUT THAT HAS TO BE BALANCED
WITH THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE AS
A WHOLE.
AS YOU KNOW I'M SURE, THEIR
CITIES ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY
AND REGIONALLY IN HER OWN
BACKYARD, MANY OF US ARE USING
THE CURFEW AS A WAY TO KEEP HER
CITY SAFE FOR.
WE BELIEVE IT'S HELPFUL TOOL TO
US.
WE ALSO ARE BALANCING THAT
AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY, FREE
SPEECH AND ALL THOSE ISSUES
THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT TO ALL OF
US.
THAT IS WHY I ASKED AND
CERTAINLY DON'T TAKE IT LIGHTLY
BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE DOING ALL WE CAN TO KEEP
PEOPLE SAFE.
THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT.
>>> THAT CONCLUDES THE Q&A
PORTION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
EVERYBODY.
>>>