New Seattle Chief Will Revamp Response Proceedures

The Seattle Police Department's new chief is planning to revamp the agency's use-of-force and response proceedures, after the involvement of the mayor and City council and outspoken community groups, reports the Seattle Times.

Chief John Diaz laid out a plan that includes a systematic review of department's training techniques expected to be completed by Jan. 1.

Also, TASER devices will be given to more officers than the 300 who currently have them, and the department plans to launch a pilot program to equip 40 officers with personal video cameras that would record their actions.

The department will also expand the number of officers trained in crisis intervention in order to help them deal with people suffering from mental illness and other problems.

Deputy Chief Nick Metz said the department would look for ways to get officers out of their cars, including more foot and bike patrols. He said the department has been caught in a "response mode," in which officers respond to 911 calls, take reports and leave.

Read the full story at SeattleTimes.com.