Are Seattle police going to be forced to limit and/or eliminate their use of deceptive practices in policing? City leaders look to make it so, yes. And last month SPD submitted a draft policy to the police union. Curiously, however, city leaders don’t feel the proposed policies go far enough.
The above is true even though the proposed policy specifically prohibits patrol ruses from being broadcast over radio, social media or any other mass media format, bans deceptive use in enabling officers to gain access to places where they have no legal authority to be, and bans ruses from being used to obtain evidence or materials officers have no authority to obtain in their line of duty. The proposed policy also states ruses should only be used by SPD personnel in circumstances when they are the least intrusive means available to obtain what the officer seeks, and the officer must get supervisor approval.
Under state law, police are permitted to use ruses only to get information for a criminal investigation or to address an exigent threat to life safety or public safety while undercover. But no ruse is permitted under state law if it would violate fundamental fairness. Seattle City leaders desire to curb ruses that do not server any legitimate purpose, harm legitimacy of the police department and police officers as a whole, and damage law enforcement’s reputation in the community. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. How much will SPD’s law enforcement authority be curtailed in using trickery in their policing practices?
If you or a loved one is in a bind because of a criminal charge, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
