CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION relating to law enforcement officer professionalism and standards; reaffirming Seattle values related to professional law enforcement conduct; condemning recent actions of federal law enforcement agents; articulating expectations for law enforcement conduct within Seattle; and directing Seattle Police Department officers to document and report violations of law enforcement professionalism standards.
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WHEREAS, the City's Charter is enacted to protect the "health, safety, environment, and general welfare of the people"; and
WHEREAS, the tragic killings by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis were reckless and preventable and the indiscriminate, heavy-handed operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis impede on First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendment rights and actively undermine local public safety; and
WHEREAS, on January 29, 2026, Mayor Wilson issued a Directive reinforcing Seattle's commitment to being a Welcoming City and to the protection of safety, privacy, and individual rights while complying with applicable law; and
WHEREAS, law enforcement should act in a guardian ethos and not a warrior ethos, acting to prioritize the safety and well-being of all people; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to maintain a collaborative approach to stemming the flow of guns and drugs into our region with relevant federal agencies that meet the expected standard of law enforcement professional conduct and competency; and
WHEREAS, recent federal immigration enforcement actions do not demonstrate adherence to professional standards for law enforcement, including use of aggressive tactics, face coverings, and lack of identification of the agency they represent; and
WHEREAS, seeing a law enforcement officer's face and identification will allow people to distinguish between potential law enforcement and criminal actors; and
WHEREAS, existing City laws and Seattle Police Department policies requi...
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