East African Advisory Council
Upcoming Meeting Dates in 2024:
- Thursday, April 11th from 6PM - 8PM
- Thursday, July 11th from 6PM - 8PM
- Thursday, October 10th from 6PM - 8PM
About the Council
The East African Advisory Council to the Seattle Police Department (SPD ) was created in 1997, and is one of ten councils that work collaboratively with the police. The council structure brings the diverse population of the East African communities together to meet with the SPD on a regular basis for the purpose of increasing communication between the East African communities and the Department. The diversity of viewpoints represented within the group helps the Department gain a thorough understanding of the issues the East African communities are faced with.
Our Areas of Focus
- Increase East African community members' participation in the Advisory Council and maintain an active Council that promotes building ongoing reciprocal communication between the East African communities and the SPD.
- Establish a forum to address and manage concerns regarding changes the SPD may be seeking to implement.
- Promote and encourage cultural competency training for officers while expanding the communities understanding of the practices and policies of the SPD.
- Engage, strengthen, and mentor One Voice youth and strengthen communication efforts between East African parents and the SPD.
- Develop strategies for making police services responsive to the needs of the members of the East African communities.
- Encourage police recruitment in the East African communities.
- Outreach to new arriving immigrants and refugees from East Africa.