Seattle to Replace “Racist” Police Force with “Trauma-Informed, Gender-Affirming, Anti-Racist Praxis”

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The Seattle City Council advanced legislation yesterday that proposes replacing the Seattle Police Department with community organizations under a new “Department of Community Safety & Violence Prevention” umbrella.

The bill cites the role the Seattle Police Department has played traditionally in “perpetuating racism and violence” and “white supremacy culture.”

“WHEREAS, the Council is committed to confronting the structural and institutional racism as a fundamental step towards addressing the racist institution of policing,” the bill states.

“Whereas, these protests forced many nationwide and in Seattle to confront the racism that has been plaguing the Black community for centuries and spread to other communities of color, the harmful impacts of white supremacy culture, and the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) role in perpetuating racism and violence,” it continues.

The organizations replacing the SPD will need to demonstrate several characteristics, including:

  • Culturally-relevant expertise rooted in community connections
  • Well versed in de-escalation skills and mental health support
  • Trauma-informed, gender-affirming, anti-racist praxis
  • Connected to resources like housing, food security, and other basic needs

You can read the bill in its entirety here.

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