By Aneesa Grant, The Metro Homemaker
On Monday, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a groundbreaking development in law enforcement policies, as the city introduced the nation’s inaugural policy regulating the use of police patrol ruses. The innovative policy, spearheaded by the Seattle Police Department (SPD), resulted from extensive stakeholder engagement led by Seattle’s Office of Inspector General for Public Safety (OIG). Mayor Harrell’s directive to formulate this new policy came in response to incidents in 2018 and 2020 that eroded public trust and confidence in law enforcement.
“Effective public safety requires community buy-in, and this new policy is an important step to build understanding with the public, demonstrating that for SPD operations to be successful, they must be paired with a commitment to unbiased, constitutional policing,” Mayor Harrell emphasized. “This innovative new policy will lead to better police work thanks to the voices of many, including the media who brought attention to this tactic, community members who called for guidelines to match our values, and Seattle accountability and police leaders who developed a plan to make that vision real.”
The use of ruses, defined as statements made by officers that they know to be untrue, has been permitted under existing laws, albeit under specific circumstances. However, high-profile cases in 2018 and 2020 that shook public trust prompted elected officials and community leaders to question the lack of specific guidance on when and to what extent ruses could be employed.
“I stood with Mayor Harrell to call for the creation of a first-in-the-nation ruse policy following not only the Proud Boys ruse but also an especially egregious incident several years ago, and the OPA recommendations that resulted,” said Councilmember Lisa Herbold. “When the OPA makes a policy recommendation, SPD has the responsibility to consider the recommendation and implement it. This is one measure of a responsive accountability system.”
The new Ruse Policy acknowledges the necessity of this tactic in certain situations for public safety but establishes clear boundaries for its use. The policy outlines five scenarios in which patrol officers can employ ruses, emphasizing appropriate use for de-escalation and investigations. Furthermore, it mandates stringent accountability measures such as documentation, supervisor approval, and protections for juveniles. The policy strictly prohibits ruses broadcast via mass media or false promises regarding prosecution, as well as ruses that “shock the conscience.”
Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz commended the policy, stating, “This first-in-the-nation policy balances the legitimate use of deception, especially for de-escalation and the safety of all persons, with supervision, documentation, and a clear prohibition of ruses that compromise public trust.”
The development of the policy involved significant input from roundtable discussions with accountability experts and law enforcement stakeholders led by OIG. Additional insights came from the OIG Sentinel Event Review, which examined SPD’s response to protests in 2020, a response that included the use of a ruse.
This new city policy on patrol ruses is the first of its kind in the United States, continuing Seattle’s tradition of pioneering public safety innovations rooted in accountability and a commitment to building public confidence.
Inspector General for Public Safety Lisa Judge expressed her gratitude for the collaborative effort that resulted in the policy, saying, “This policy is the culmination of a collaborative effort between SPD, OIG, and a variety of stakeholders who came together to discuss complex issues around community trust and the use of ruses and deception by police.”
The policy will undergo continuous evaluation and refinement based on required documentation and new data. It also provides an objective standard for evaluating officers’ conduct, creating a framework for accountability when violations occur.
The policy underscores the public’s expectation of truthfulness and transparency from law enforcement officers in their interactions with the community while simultaneously recognizing the role patrol ruses may play in promoting community safety. It emphasizes that deception must be deployed only when it serves a legitimate, lawful purpose and complies with the policy’s guidelines.
Seattle’s groundbreaking policy on patrol ruses sets a precedent for other cities to follow, fostering a balance between law enforcement’s tactical needs and the preservation of public trust and transparency.
