Updated rules for SPD's use of crowd control weapons clear council committee
SPD at recent protests in Seattle. (Getty Images)
Seattle City Council’s Public Safety Committee has advanced an updated version of a crowd control weapon ordinance originally proposed last year during the height of protests over the death of George Floyd.
“This legislation builds off of the legislation originally introduced by Councilmember Sawant and unanimously adopted by the council,” explained Committee Chair Lisa Herbold.
The original ordinance approved last year would have totally banned the use of tear gas, pepper spray, and other chemical weapons by Seattle Police, but was never implemented over concerns raised by the Justice Department and the federal judge overseeing the city’s ongoing consent decree. Federal Judge James Robart ultimately issued a restraining order.