Tag Archives: HB 1310

One Month On, Washington Police Reforms Get Mixed Reviews at Local Forum

by Ashley Archibald

Content Warning: This article contains brief mention of suicide.


On July 25, a series of laws banning police departments from using chokeholds, neck restraints, and no-knock warrants, and restricting the use of tear gas and military equipment went into effect in Washington State. 

The laws were part of a wave of legislation reacting to the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin and the months of subsequent nationwide protest that followed. 

Locally, Seattle City Council talked about, but ultimately did not follow through on, significant monetary cuts to the police budget.

Continue reading One Month On, Washington Police Reforms Get Mixed Reviews at Local Forum

Trial of Auburn Officer Delayed, but Family of Jesse Sarey Continues Fighting

by Bunthay Cheam


Over 30 photographs of those killed by police sat on steps in the foreground of a press conference organized by the family of Jesse Sarey, a Khmer American man shot and killed by Auburn police officer Jeff Nelson in 2019. The press conference took place on the front steps of the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, Washington.

“Since 2018, there’s been 107 names added to the list that police have killed; Jeff Nelson added Jesse to that list so he needs to be held accountable,” said Kelli Saeteurn, a family member of Sarey.

Continue reading Trial of Auburn Officer Delayed, but Family of Jesse Sarey Continues Fighting

OPINION: There Was More Police Accountability in Washington State During Jim Crow Than Today

by Jordan Chaney


The other day I was driving a little faster than what the speed limit called for and a motorcycle cop pulled me over. As he approached my driver’s side window, he tapped the middle of his chest to make me aware of his body cam, and he announced that he was recording the traffic stop. In that moment, I thought my life could end. I imagined him blowing my brains out through the passenger side seat and window. So when he asked for my ID, I made sure to go through my “P.O.P.s” (the pull-over-protocol that I taught my son when he got his driver’s license): pray, be polite, move as slowly as possible, keep your hands and wallet visible at all costs because it could cost you your life.

Continue reading OPINION: There Was More Police Accountability in Washington State During Jim Crow Than Today