Seattle's new mayor, Katie Wilson, was sworn into office this week. Source: MayorofSeattle Instagram
SEATTLE — The Seattle Police Officers Guild is sharply criticizing what it says is a renewed decision to stop arresting people for open drug use, following media reports that Seattle police officers were directed to refer offenders to diversion programs instead of enforcing drug crimes.
In a statement posted online, Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan called the approach “horrifically dangerous” and warned it would increase overdose deaths, public disorder, and crime.
“The recent naïve, ignorant political decision to not arrest offenders for open drug use in the City of Seattle is horrifically dangerous and will create more death and societal decay,” Solan wrote. He added that similar policies in the past led to “death, decay, blight and crime” across city streets.
Media reports cite SPD sources
The union’s statement followed reporting from Seattle radio host Ari Hoffman, who said sources within the Seattle Police Department confirmed officers were ordered not to enforce crimes involving drug use.
“Sources at the Seattle Police Department have confirmed that they were ordered not to enforce crimes involving drug use and instead refer offenders to diversion,” Hoffman reported. He described the policy as a repeat of past failures, saying many offenders never followed through with diversion services.
SPD has not released the alleged internal email publicly, and the department has not issued a press release confirming a change in enforcement policy.
Long-running dispute over diversion
Seattle law allows police officers to arrest people for public drug use. City leaders have instead pushed diversion and treatment when individuals do not pose an immediate threat.
Programs such as Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, known as LEAD, anchor that strategy. Police union leaders have criticized LEAD for years. They argue the program lacks enforcement tools and fails to compel treatment.
Solan echoed that criticism. He said many officers refuse to refer cases because diversion does not stop repeat offenses.
New mayor, unanswered questions
The controversy unfolded days after Katie Wilson took office. The mayor’s office has not commented on the union’s statement or the reported SPD directive.
City officials have not clarified whether the reported guidance represents a new policy or a continuation of existing practice.
What is known so far
SPD has not publicly confirmed or released the internal communication.
The Seattle Police Officers Guild publicly condemned a reported move away from drug arrests.
Media reports cite SPD sources who say officers received instructions to use diversion instead of enforcement.
PNW Daily will continue update this story when a response or clarification from the mayor’s office or other updates on this story occur.
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