Bellevue Police Use Of Force Report Includes 47 Recommendations

BELLEVUE, WA — A report outlining dozens of recommended police reforms in Bellevue is now final and will head to the City Council for consideration beginning next Monday. The Office of Independent Review released a draft version of the report in early February, detailing 47 recommendations based on community feedback and listening sessions with various "stakeholder groups."

The final version of the report looks similar to February's draft, with recommendations including changes to policies guiding de-escalation tactics, proportional use of force and the creation of a "duty to intervene" rule that would require officers to report colleagues that use excessive force.

The recommendations are part of the city's pledge to reevaluate law enforcement practices in the wake of George Floyd's death and a nationwide movement against police brutality and systemic racism.

Also included in the report is a request for the Bellevue Police Department to develop a comprehensive crowd control policy "balancing the exercise of First Amendment activity with interested in public safety." Another recommendation asks the department to prohibit the use of deadly force against people who are a danger only to themselves.

The Bellevue City Council is scheduled for a briefing on the report on April 12. Another council briefing with Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett is planned for the near future.

Read the full 47-page report and review the city's pledge on the Bellevue website.