Seattle Police Department

Ask The Seattle Mayor

Weekday — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Ask Mayor McGinn
Chris Hansen has upped his bid for the Sacramento Kings by another $75 million. We will ask Mayor Mike McGinn about the future of the Seattle Sonics and whether the city will build a stadium without a team.

Also, we’ll ask the mayor for his take on May Day, Seattle parks, new Seattle Police Department hiring rules and just what happened with those guns turned peace bricks? He will be in to answer those questions, and if you have any questions for the mayor call us at 800.289.5869 or write to weekday@kuow.org.

What To Expect From The NBA This Week
The NBA Board of Governors are meeting this Wednesday to decide whether or not to approve the relocation of the Sacramento Kings to Seattle. King 5 reporter Chris Daniels has been following the saga from its onset. He regularly tweets updates on the Sacramento Kings and NBA decision.

Seattle Police Loosen Rules For New Recruits

Deborah Wang — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:34:54 +0000

The Seattle Police Department is preparing to hire more than 300 new officers in the next five years, and it wants to do things differently.

Demonstrators Have Their Say On May Day

Amy Radil and Phyllis Fletcher — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:15:49 +0000

KUOW reporter Amy Radil began her day at Westlake Park.

Seattle Police Won't Sideline Superheroes On May Day

Amy Radil — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 04:33:02 +0000

City police departments often have testy relations with their local superheroes, at least in the movies. In "The Amazing Spider-Man" they issue a warrant for his arrest. In "The Dark Knight Rises," a cop pledges to take down Batman.

Seattle's Interim Police Chief Apologizes For 1986 Music Video Mocking Homeless

Jason Pagano — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:26:10 +0000

Seattle Interim Police Chief Jim Pugel says "I'll apologize for the rest of my life" for appearing in a department produced video showing officers mocking the city's homeless to the tune of a classic pop hit.

Emotional Meeting Over Bellevue SWAT Team Shooting

Patricia Murphy — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:55:51 +0000

Last month a SWAT team from Bellevue arrived around 5:00 a.m. in a Columbia City neighborhood to serve a warrant for a suspect. As the dramatic scene unfolded the suspect, Russell Smith, was shot and killed by three Bellevue police officers. Now neighbors want answers about what happened.

South Seattle Neighbors Want Answers About Police Action

Patricia Murphy — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:52:12 +0000

On March 22, 2013, around 5:00 a.m., a SWAT team from the Bellevue Police Department showed up at a tiny dead-end street in Seattle's Columbia City neighborhood. They were there to arrest a suspect on a warrant for robbery.

Things did not go smoothly.

Behind The Scenes With SPD's Bomb Unit

Weekday with Steve Scher — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Investigators are trying to piece together this week's bombings at the Boston Marathon. What clues are they looking for? How are bombs detected and disarmed? Seattle Police Department explosives experts Randy Curtis and Craig Williamson join us with an inside look. Call with your questions to 206.543.5869.

VIDEO: Watch Dennis the SPD Bomb Dog In Action

Interim Police Chief Jim Pugel On What's Next For SPD

Weekday with Steve Scher — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Interim Seattle Police Department Chief Jim Pugel says he hasn't decided whether he'll seek the job, but he doesn't plan to be a placeholder as the SPD works on critical reforms with the Department of Justice. Pugel is set to replace outgoing chief John Diaz, who announced his retirement on Monday. We talk with the new officer in charge at SPD.

SPD Chief Diaz Steps Aside

Weekday with Steve Scher — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:07:16 +0000

Seattle Police Chief John Diaz announced on Monday that he’s stepping down. Diaz was appointed chief by Mayor Mike McGinn in 2010 and served 33 years with the SPD. Assistant Chief Jim Pugel will lead the department until the city hires a successor. How will Diaz's departure affect SPD morale and the city's ongoing police reforms? We talk with City Attorney Pete Holmes, public defender Lisa Daugaard and Seattle Times reporter Steve Miletich.