SEATTLE — The number of complaints against Seattle police officers is already on pace to outnumber last year’s total.
KING-TV reports as of June 1, there were 762 complaints against officers, compared to a total of 893 for all of 2014.
President of the Seattle Police Officers’ Guild, Det. Ron Smith, says complaints may reach 1,500 for this year. Smith says the numbers aren’t due to rowdy officers but to increased accountability brought about by the department.
Office of Professional Accountability Director Pierce Murphy says officers need to understand that they are subject to a higher level of scrutiny. He says he understands the concerns and is now sending more cases back to supervisors at the police department.
Murphy says only 20 percent of complaints result in a full misconduct investigation.
