"City Council proposes sweeping police reforms"

Joel Connelly (seattlepi.com):

Seattle City Council members are proposing far-reaching reforms to improve the training, the hiring, on-line supervision and accountability of Seattle Police Department officers.

The initiatives range from "mandatory and timely" drug and alcohol tests for officers involved in deadly force incidents to preferential recruiting and hiring of officers with a post-secondary education.

The 11 recommendations were unveiled in a late Friday letter (PDF) signed by Councilmembers Tim Burgess, Sally Bagshaw and Sally Clark, all members of the Council's Public Safety and Education Committee. Burgess is chair of the committee.

The specific reforms were revealed soon after Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn proclaimed Sunday "John T. Williams Day" after a native woodcarver slain by a Seattle Police officer in August.

A Council source said privately that the city's legislators were taking the initiative, and proposing initiatives, because they have doubts about McGinn's background in and "ear" for police and public safety issues. MORE...

Howie P.S.: Private message to Hizzonner: "Can you hear us now?" This is a little more to the point than declaring tomorrow, 'John T. Williams Day.'