Update Regarding Mayor’s Office Attempt to Silence SPOG’s Public Safety Advocacy
SPOG Members,
On Monday, May 18, SPOG posted on X highlighting the effectiveness of CCTV systems in solving crimes and rhetorically asked how many more examples the mayor needed to see their value in keeping the public safe.
On Tuesday, I received an email from the Mayor’s Office citing potential violations of SPD Policy Manual 12.100-POL-4 (subsections 3 and 4) and SMC 14.12.020.B. The email demanded that we immediately remove the post and was sent to a wide distribution list including Chief Barnes, Deputy Chief Sayles, and several other high-ranking officials.
The Mayor’s Office incorrectly assumed the video came from an internal RTCC investigative file. In reality, it was a publicly available video previously posted by KOMO News reporter Jeremy Harris.
SPOG responded promptly, clarifying that the video was public, that we would not be removing the post, and that as an independent labor organization, we are not subject to SPD policy. We also copied our attorneys.
On Wednesday morning, the Mayor’s Office responded again, continuing to question the source of the video and insinuating it came from inside SPD based on the minor edits we made. They later acknowledged that while SPOG is independent, our members are not. They then accused SPOG and its’ members of undermining public trust in SPD and reiterated her demand to take down the post.
After consulting with our attorneys, we were preparing a declaratory judgment action in federal court for First Amendment violations when the Mayor’s Office withdrew their demand to remove the post.
Our legal team has since sent a formal Cease and Desist letter with preservation of evidence instructions to ensure all communications are retained should further action become necessary.
SPOG will continue to advocate strongly for our members and will not be intimidated. The RTCC and CCTV systems in Seattle are critical to public safety and the work you all are doing. We will continue to communicate openly on matters of public safety.
Kent Loux
President
Seattle Police Officers Guild