Federal Judge Provisionally Approves Seattle Police Reform Program

Wants more control over who is selected as the federal monitor and more frequent reviews than are currently on the table

The federal judge overseeing a historic settlement between the city and the Department of Justice to curb excessive force by the Seattle Police Department said he wants more say in picking the monitor who will track reforms and more frequent reports on how the changes are working.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge James Robart in Seattle gave his provisional approval to the settlement, starting the clock on several deadlines, including the selection of the monitor and the formation of a Community Police Commission that will play a key role in suggesting many of the reforms.