SEATTLE, July 28 (UPI) -- Seattle has agreed to federal monitoring of its police department and to the creation of a panel of community representatives, officials said.
The settlement between the city and the U.S. Justice Department was announced Friday afternoon, The Seattle Times reported. A coalition of 34 community groups asked the Justice Department to investigate complaints of racial bias and excessive force almost two years ago.
The agreement calls for a federal monitor who will report on the department every six months. The Community Police Commission, which will make recommendations for changes, is to include representatives of minority organizations, religious groups and other community groups.
Activists said the agreement is at best a starting point for change.
"What we have is a starting line, but now the marathon begins," Doug Honig, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union, said. "We have a lot of good words on paper, but what really is going to matter is how it's implemented."
Chris Stearns, head of the Seattle Human Rights Commission, said nothing in the agreement forces the city to accept recommendations from the police commission.
