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Law enforcement must protect both public safety and the rights of individuals. This is why arrests and use of force should be last resorts, not first options, for police. The ACLU-WA advocates for stronger laws regulating police use of force, alternatives to arrest and incarceration, and de-escalation practices and training. And to ensure law enforcement is accountable to the people they serve, the ACLU-WA works for greater community oversight, such as independent civilian review boards with disciplinary authority.

Resources

ACLU Calls for Safer High-Speed Chase Policy

News Release, Published: 
Friday, November 20, 2009
The recent settlement of a case in which a police chase resulted in an innocent motorist’s death and an injury to his passenger again points to the need for a statewide law governing high-speed police chases.
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Unreal Law: A National ID Card

News Release, Published: 
Friday, November 20, 2009
The ACLU opposes the REAL ID Act, which will lead to a de facto national identity card, and threaten the privacy of personal information.
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N30: Seattle Gets Some of It Right

News Release, Published: 
Friday, November 20, 2009
As Seattle neared "N30," the one-year anniversary of the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests on November 30th, free speech advocates held our collective breath in hopes that the City would "get it right" this time by dealing properly with protest activities. Responding to saber-rattling comments by some officials, the ACLU urged the City to respect free speech rights, and we readied our Web site report form to receive complaints of police misconduct.
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State Supreme Court Rules on Case Involving Exceptions to Warrant Requirement for Searches of Homes

News Release, Published: 
Friday, November 20, 2009
Washington Supreme Court found (in State v. Smith) that "exigent circumstances" existed when police searched a home without a warrant and therefore the search was valid.
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Seattle: ACLU Seeks Information on City's Stance on Police Accountability

News Release, Published: 
Monday, November 2, 2009
Seeking to promote open government, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit seeking public documents about the City of Seattle's stance in contract negotiations with the Seattle Police Guild.
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Appeals Court Overturns Seattle's Ordinance for Granting Permits to March

News Release, Published: 
Monday, December 15, 2008
In a victory for free speech rights, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the City of Seattle's ordinance for granting permits for parades and marches gives police too much discretion to revoke or alter permits.
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ACLU to Seattle Police: End Unjustified Arrests

News Release, Published: 
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The ACLU has asked Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske to take action to reduce unjustified arrests for obstructing a police officer, a charge that is only intended to be used on bystanders who interfere with police actions.
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King County: Council Creates Oversight Office for Sheriff

News Release, Published: 
Monday, October 9, 2006
The King County Council has voted to create an independent office of oversight for the Sheriff's office. It was one of several recommendations made by a blue ribbon panel that included ACLU of Washington Legislative Director Jennifer Shaw.
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Edmonds Pharmacist Seeks End to Harassment at Border

News Release, Published: 
Monday, June 19, 2006
Shimrote Ishaque is joining nine other citizens who have experienced stops, body searches, handcuffing, excessive force and other aggravations by customs officers - all partly due to inaccurate government records.
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Tacoma: A Win for Civilian Review

News Release, Published: 
Friday, August 12, 2005
In June 2005 the Tacoma City Council approved by a 6-2 vote a major reform of police accountability by establishing an independent auditor and a citizen review board. The vote culminates over two years of work by the Police Accountability Working Group, created by the Tacoma Human Rights Commission to draft a proposal for citizen oversight.
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