COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          11a 
BRIEFING ITEM                            Date of Meeting       April 27, 2021 
DATE:     April 9, 2021 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Bookda Gheisar, Senior Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion 
Delmas Whittaker, Senior Manager, Vessel Fishing Services 
SUBJECT:  Port Policing Assessment Progress Report 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
In response to the Port of Seattle Commission's Motion 2020-15 creating a Task Force on Port
Policing and Civil Rights, staff have been actively working to implement a comprehensive
assessment of the Port of Seattle Police Department's (POSPD) policies, protocols and procedures
impacting issues of diversity, equity and civil rights. With the help of a wide range of external
stakeholders and a consulting team, Port staff are making steady progress toward achieving the
Commission's goal of  identifying opportunities for the POSPD to meet the highest nationwide
standards achievable for public safety and protection of civil rights, equity, accountability and
oversight. 
At the Commission's November 17 public meeting, staff presented a progress report of initial
findings.  The  briefing  on  April  27  will  provide  further   status  updates,  additional
recommendations for potential Commission or Executive action, and an updated timeline for
completion of the assessment.  The presentation also includes  an update on the Port's
engagement during the 2021 Washington State Legislative Session on various legislative
proposals related to policing. 
BACKGROUND 
Upon the passage of Motion 2020-15, the Task Force on Port Policing and Civil Rights hired 21CP
Solutions as its consultant and formed a Task Force composed of key internal and external
stakeholders to guide the process and provide input on key issues. In addition, the structure of
the policing assessment was divided into subcommittees that include both Task Force members
and other Port and external participants: 
1)       Use of force* 
2)       Mutual aid* 
3)       Oversight, accountability, racial equity and civil rights* 
4)       Diversity and hiring** 
5)       Training and development** 
6)       Budget, roles and equipment*** 
7)       Advocacy*** 
*completed 
**currently convening 
***will convene in May 
Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 11a                                 Page 2 of 2 
Meeting Date: April 27, 2021 
In addition to supporting the work of the subcommittees and integrating their feedback into the
assessment, 21CP has also interviewed stakeholders, reviewed documents, surveyed POSPD
employees and drawn on their expertise to develop their recommendations to-date. Please note
that, while the Use of Force, Mutual Aid and Oversight & Equity subcommittees have completed
their work, the recommendations on those topics will continue to evolve  informed by the work
of other subcommittees, new research and the passage of state legislation. 
The Diversity & Hiring and Training & Development subcommittees began convening in February
2021. The Budget and Advocacy subcommittees will begin meeting shortly. A full timeline for the
subcommittee work and the overall assessment process is included in the slide presentation
attached to this memo. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS PRESENTATION - 
(1)   Presentation slides 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
November 17, 2020  The Commission heard a progress report from the Task Force co-
chairs. 
July 14, 2020  The Commission approved the Port Policing Assessment Motion. 
June 30, 2020  The Commission held a study session on the draft Port Policing
Assessment Motion. 









Template revised September 22, 2016.