SEATTLE MAYOR'S PANEL WOULD HOLD POLICE ACCOUNTABLE

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SEATTLE TIMES - Seattle police officers would face tougher discipline
and sharper scrutiny under a sweeping set of proposals to be issued next
week by a mayor's panel, according to sources familiar with the panel's
work.

Officers found to have lied in the course of their work would face a
presumption they should be fired, the sources said. Sources said the
report will recommend:

- Expanding the duties of the department's civilian auditor, who would
conduct more probing reviews of internal investigations and provide more
detailed reports to the public.

- Creating a "presumption" that officers be fired when they lie about a
material fact related to their official duties.

- Requiring the chief to give written explanations when he disagrees
with disciplinary recommendations made by the department's Office of
Professional Accountability, the civilian-led unit that investigates
allegations of police misconduct. . .

- Barring officers from using vacation or leave time when they are
suspended without pay.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm/localnews/2004146389_policepanel26m.htm


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