After 13 years of oversight, a federal judge has restored local control of the Seattle Police Department.
In a hearing Wednesday, U.S. District Judge James Robart granted the city’s motion to terminate the 2012 consent decree between the city of Seattle and the U.S. Justice Department.
During those 13 years, city officials said in court filings that the Seattle Police Department dramatically curtailed officers’ use of force, and developed groundbreaking trainings that have now become routine for all officers under state law. The city also created the Office of Inspector General to provide audits and analysis of SPD policies and actions, and the Community Police Commission to highlight public concerns…