Res 32193 — Version 1 https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/seattle/Matters/16873/Texts/18217 CITY OF SEATTLE RESOLUTION __________________ ..title A RESOLUTION relating to law enforcement officer professionalism and standards; reaffirming Seattle values related to professional law enforcement conduct; condemning recent actions of federal law enforcement agents; articulating expectations for law enforcement conduct within Seattle; and directing Seattle Police Department officers to document and report violations of law enforcement professionalism standards. ..body WHEREAS, the City's Charter is enacted to protect the "health, safety, environment, and general welfare of the people"; and WHEREAS, the tragic killings by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis were reckless and preventable and the indiscriminate, heavy-handed operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis impede on First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendment rights and actively undermine local public safety; and WHEREAS, on January 29, 2026, Mayor Wilson issued a Directive reinforcing Seattle's commitment to being a Welcoming City and to the protection of safety, privacy, and individual rights while complying with applicable law; and WHEREAS, law enforcement should act in a guardian ethos and not a warrior ethos, acting to prioritize the safety and well-being of all people; and WHEREAS, the City seeks to maintain a collaborative approach to stemming the flow of guns and drugs into our region with relevant federal agencies that meet the expected standard of law enforcement professional conduct and competency; and WHEREAS, recent federal immigration enforcement actions do not demonstrate adherence to professional standards for law enforcement, including use of aggressive tactics, face coverings, and lack of identification of the agency they represent; and WHEREAS, seeing a law enforcement officer's face and identification will allow people to distinguish between potential law enforcement and criminal actors; and WHEREAS, existing City laws and Seattle Police Department policies require Seattle police officers to be clearly identifiable when engaged in public safety activities, including wearing department emblems, name tags, and badges with officer-specific numbers, and to identify themselves when requested, with limited exceptions; and WHEREAS, federal law enforcement officers should be held to the same professional standards as Seattle's own Police Department, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE THAT: Section 1. Expectations for law enforcement conduct within Seattle, regardless of agency of origin or jurisdiction A. "Law enforcement officer" means any person elected, appointed, or employed by a law enforcement agency empowered to detect and apprehend persons violating federal, state, or local laws. B. Law enforcement officers operating in Seattle are expected to conduct themselves with a level of professionalism meeting or exceeding the standards and policies applicable to the Seattle Police Department (SPD). C. Law enforcement officers performing enforcement duties in Seattle should be clearly identifiable, including wearing department emblems, name tags, and badges with officer-specific numbers, and to identify themselves when requested, with limited exceptions in narrow and specific situations where operational necessity precludes such identification, such as those described in current SPD policy. D. Law enforcement officers operating in Seattle should not wear any face coverings, except in circumstances that reasonably require their use, such as those described in current SPD policy. E. Investigatory stops or detentions carried out by law enforcement officers in Seattle should be carried out in a manner that is legally compliant, professional, and in service of preserving and enhancing the safety of all residents and visitors. F. In situations where members of the public are injured, law enforcement officers operating in Seattle should attempt to render any necessary appropriate medical aid as soon as reasonably possible, including initiating emergency medical services (EMS) if needed. Section 2. If SPD officers observe violations of the expectations in Section 1 of this resolution, they should document and report them to a supervisor per current SPD policies and directives, to include those relating to immigration enforcement, interactions with federal agents, unverified or unidentified law enforcement activity, and foreign nationals. Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2026, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2026. ____________________________________ President ____________ of the City Council Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2026. ____________________________________ Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk (Seal) Tamaso Johnson LEG Law Enforcement Professionalism and Standards RES D1c 2 Template last revised December 16, 2025 2 Version No. 1