CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to decreasing militarization of police activities; adding a new Section 3.28.140 to the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Defense 1033 Program (1033 program) is a federal program authorized by Congress under Section 1033 of the National Defense Authorization Act (codified at 10 U.S.C. ?2576(a)) that permits the Secretary of Defense to transfer, without charge, excess U.S. Department of Defense personal property (supplies and equipment) to state and local law enforcement agencies (LEAs); and
WHEREAS, equipment transferred to state and local law enforcement under the 1033 Program included vehicles (land, air, and sea), weapons, computer equipment, fingerprint equipment, night vision equipment, radios and televisions, first aid equipment, tents and sleeping bags, photographic equipment, and more; and
WHEREAS, the 1033 Program was curtailed by President Obama in May 2015 following recommendations from a task force on perceived militarization of the police following 2014 events in Ferguson, Missouri, but revived by President Trump under Executive Order in August 2017; and
WHEREAS, starting in 2015 the City, through the Seattle Police Department (SPD), began the process of closing out its account for the 1033 program with the program manager in Olympia and returned all accountable equipment to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). SPD completed the closure process later that year and has not had any involvement in reutilization of military surplus equipment since; and
WHEREAS, SPD returned all items obtained through the 1033 program to date except for 68 pairs of coveralls, 40 pairs of gloves, and one metal utility cabinet; and
WHEREAS, although SPD has substantially and effectively withdrawn from the federal 1033 program, the City desires to make SPD's withdrawal a permanent and lasting policy as well as practice; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAIN...
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