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Policing

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

Brother, Can You Spare a Civil Liberty?

News Release, Published: 
Monday, April 5, 2010
Seattle Mayor McGinn has promised to veto the unnecessary and divisive new panhandling law that passed by 5-4 margin. Kudos to the Mayor and Council members Harrell, Licata, O'Brien, and Rasmussen for courageously opposing it. You can help by letting them know you appreciate their stand.
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Anti-war Rallies: Seattle Needs Sensible Policies for Handling Demonstrations

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The response of the Seattle Police Department (SPD) to anti-war demonstrations on March 22, 2003, provides one more reminder of the City's need to have in place sensible crowd control policies for major events.
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ACLU Defends Seattle's Ban on Police Spying on Political Groups

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Letter from Kathleen Taylor re: An effort by some police officials to repeal or significantly modify Seattle’s Police Intelligence Ordinance.
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Seattle: Testimony of Julya Hampton on Police Accountability and the Collective Barganing Process

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The April 18, 2006 testimony of the ACLU legal program director before the Public Safety, Governmental Relations and Arts Committee of the Seattle City Council.
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Seattle: A Call for an Independent Office for Police Accountability

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
An American Civil Liberties Union of Washington report calling for the creation of an independent office for police accountability in Seattle.
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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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