Monique Cotton

City and SPD deliver final update to Use of Force Commission

Monique Cotton, Public Information and Communication Director, Spokane Police Departme, No Phone Number Available


Monday, February 16, 2015 at 12:02 p.m.

In their final report to the Use of Force Commission Friday, Mayor David Condon and Police Chief Straub outlined the progress of the Spokane Police Department in implementing the twenty-six recommendations made by the Commission two years ago.

Over the past 24 months, SPD has made remarkable strides toward that goal, according to members of the Use of Force Commission. All police-specific recommendations have been initiated, are complete, or are in the process of being completed. In addition to reducing crime, SPD officers simultaneously reduced use of force incidents by 22%. Research by Eastern Washington University Professor Ed Byrnes confirms that use of force by SPD officers continues to decline. Meanwhile, Spokane Police officer community engagement is up with the expansion of programs such as the Youth and Police Initiative (YPI), the Police Activities League (PAL) and the Junior Police Academy.

The Spokane Police Department is now working with the DOJ-COPS Office and continuing to engage in the Collaborative Reform process.

On behalf of the City of Spokane and the Spokane Police department, I wish to extend our gratitude to the men and women of the Use of Force Commission for your dedication to the Spokane community and the impact your work has had on the Spokane Police Department.

More About...