Seattle Police Ends 13-Year Federal Oversight After Reforms

After 13 years of federal oversight due to findings of excessive force and biased policing, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) has regained full local control following a U.S. District Court ruling. The 2012 consent decree led to sweeping reforms including enhanced use-of-force protocols, crisis intervention training, expanded transparency with body-worn cameras, and stronger community engagement through civilian oversight bodies. Data shows a nearly 35% reduction in reported use-of-force incidents from 2019 to 2024 compared to previous years, with overall use of force now occurring in only a fraction of police interactions. Despite setbacks related to labor contracts and crowd control tactics during the oversight period, the SPD is now recognized as a national model for reform and accountability. Civil rights leaders and the Justice Department have praised the department’s progress and commitment to lawful policing standards as federal monitoring ends. However, ongoing efforts continue to address racial disparities in policing outcomes.