Tukwila police now ask community reps to review use of force and hiring decisions

Police departments across Washington state are feeling shockwaves from last summer’s protests, new laws taking effect this month, and staffing shortages. So what comes next?

In one small city in South King County, police say they are asking community representatives to weigh in on every use of force and hiring decision.

They also say a focus on de-escalation has driven down their use of force numbers. The Tukwila Police Department credits Initiative 940, which voters approved in 2018, with fueling these changes.

The Tukwila Police Department has seen a steep drop in its use of force over the past five years. Use of force incidents by police (which can span everything from handcuffing someone to deadly force) have dropped nearly 80% — from 260 in 2016 to 54 last year. Tukwila Police Chief Eric Drever notes that 2016 was the year the department first deployed in-car video, which offered more evidence for use of force investigations.