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Bids/News Advertising deadlines 12:00 Noon Monday Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. To place your ad, email advertising@theskanner.com Police Reform Complete? Seattle, federal officials agree to federal changes By Chris Grygiel The Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle offi- cials have agreed to an independent monitor and court oversight of the city’s police department as part of a deal with the U.S. Justice Department fol- lowing a report that found officers routinely used excessive force. City and federal negotiators were involved in tense talks over the scope of a deal for months, and Justice Department lawyers had threatened to sue the city if a deal was not reached by July 31. ``It’s no secret there were a few bumps in the road to get here,’’ Mayor Mike McGinn said of the agreement, which was announced Friday. ``We do have a lot of work in front of us.’’ The Justice Department launched its civil rights investiga- tion early last year after the fatal shooting of a homeless, Native American woodcarver and other incidents involving force used against minority suspects. In December, a DOJ report found officers were too quick to reach for weapons, such as flashlights and batons, even when arresting people for minor offenses. The agreement was announced at City Hall by McGinn; Jenny Durkan, U.S. attorney for Seattle, and Thomas Perez, the Justice Department’s chief civil rights enforcer. The deal also calls for a special commission, appointed by the mayor, to concentrate on use of force issues. have to change policies and train- ing concerning ``bias-free’’ policing and stops, and create a Community Police Commission, which would be a civilian over- sight body. Court oversight would continue for five years, but the city could ask to end the scrutiny earlier if it has complied with the agreements Talks between Seattle officials and the Justice Department had been hung up after city officials initially balked at some federal proposals for reform Talks between Seattle officials and the Justice Department had been hung up after city officials initially balked at some federal proposals for reform. The settlement, which must be approved by a federal judge, requires the Seattle Police Depart- ment to revise use of force policies and enhance training, reporting, investigation and supervision for situations involv- ing use force. Police also would for two years. ``This city is committed to elim- inating bias,’’ McGinn said. Perez said the agreement could serve as a way to help reduce crime and increase public confi- dence in the city’s police officers. ``We must continue to be well aware of the very raw feelings that many Seattle residents continue to have toward the Seattle Police Department,’’ Perez said. Surveillance cameras and police-cruiser videos had cap- tured officers beating civilians, including stomping on a prone Latino man who was mistakenly thought to be a robbery suspect, and an officer kicking a non-resisting black youth in a convenience store. The earlier Justice Department report found that force was used unconstitutionally one out of every five times an officer resort- ed to it. The department failed to adequately review the use of force and lacked policies and training related to the use of force, it said. The American Civil Liberties Union and other community groups called for scrutiny of the department after a Seattle officer shot and killed the woodcarver, John T. Williams, in 2010. Video from Officer Ian Birk’s patrol car showed Williams cross- ing the street holding a piece of wood and a small knife, and Birk exiting the vehicle to pursue him. Off-camera, Birk quickly shouted three times for Williams to drop the knife then fired five shots. The knife was found folded at the scene, but Birk later maintained Williams had threatened him. Birk resigned from the force and was not charged. A review board found the shooting unjustified. Doug Honig, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington state, was also pleased. ``The city and the DOJ appear to have taken our concerns about excessive force, racially biased policing and flaws in the oversight system seriously,’’ Honig said. ``The implementation is what’s going to matter.’’ Since the beginning of 2010, the Justice Department’s civil rights division has previously reached settlements to reform police prac- tices in New Orleans and in Warren, Ohio. It has sued the Maricopa County, Arizona, sheriff’s office and the East Haven, Connecticut, police department for a pattern and prac- tice of discrimination against Latinos and Hispanics. Associated Press writers Gene Johnson in Seattle and Michael J. Sniffen in Washington, D.C., con- tributed to this report. We honor the many accomplishments of African Americans. It is our primary goal as a labor union to better the lives of all people working in the building trades through advoca- cy, civil demonstration, and the long-held belief that workers deserve a "family wage" - fair pay for an hon- est day's work. A family wage, and the benefits that go with it, not only strengthens fami- lies, but also allows our communities to become stronger, more cohesive, and more responsive to their citizens' needs. Our family wage agenda reflects our commitment to people working in the building trades, and to workers everywhere. In this small way, we are doing our part to help people achieve the American Dream. This dream that work- ers can hold dear regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, creed, or religious beliefs. The Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters Representing more than 5.000 construction workers in Oregon State. Do you want to know more about becoming a Union car- penter? 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