After a nearly year-long investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice recently released a report stating that the Seattle Police Department has engaged in a "pattern or practice" of using excessive force against citizens, and thereby violating their constitutional rights. The report, which also expressed "serious concerns" about police treatment of minorities, accused top city and department officials of failing to remedy the problems discovered by the Justice Department.

The investigation began early last year when a U.S. attorney requested a preliminary review of Seattle police policies and practices. During that review, investigators reportedly uncovered sufficient evidence of excessive course during criminal arrests and investigations to launch a full-scale investigation. The goal of the inquiry was to determine whether members of the department "engaged in systemic violations of the Constitution or federal law."

According to the report, investigators found that when Seattle police use excessive force about one-fifth of the time they use force during the course of duty. In addition, officers are too quick to use impact weapons such as batons and flashlights. For example, batons are used unnecessarily nearly 60 percent of the time they are used.

The report also found that officers escalate their contact with suspects, using unnecessary and unwarranted force when they arrest unresisting people for minor offenses.

Finally, the report claims that department officials have no methods for effectively supervising officers, and no way of disciplining those who are believed to have violated citizens' Constitutional rights.

In response to the report, department and city officials are requesting the Justice Department's data in an effort to analyze the findings and determine whether they are accurate. Given that initial resistance to the report, it remains to be seen whether any meaningful change will result.

Source: Seattle Times, "Chief questions Justice Dept. report on excessive force," Mike Carter, Steve Miletich and Jennifer Sullivan, Dec. 16, 2011