SEATTLE (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that Seattle’s police department is in “full and effective compliance” with court-ordered reforms imposed on the city more than five years ago.
The Seattle Times reports U.S. District Judge James Robart issued the finding Wednesday.
The ruling marks a milestone recognizing the city’s efforts since entering into a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department to address allegations that officers had engaged in a “pattern or practice” of using excessive force and displayed troubling evidence of biased policing.
The DOJ investigated Seattle police after several questionable uses of force, including the fatal shooting of a Native American woodcarver in 2010.
The city next will enter into a two-year review period in which it must show the sweeping reforms are maintained.