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Law enforcement must protect both public safety and the rights of individuals. This is why arrests and use of force should be last resorts, not first options, for police. The ACLU-WA advocates for stronger laws regulating police use of force, alternatives to arrest and incarceration, and de-escalation practices and training. And to ensure law enforcement is accountable to the people they serve, the ACLU-WA works for greater community oversight, such as independent civilian review boards with disciplinary authority.

Resources

Lawsuit Challenges Unlawful Arrests and Restrictions at Tacoma Protests

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
January 23 - Update:  The jury today reached a verdict and ruled in favor of the City of Tacoma.  No decision has been made yet as to whether to appeal the case. Suit Says Police Actions Aimed to Prevent Peaceful Protest The ACLU-WA is representing six citizens who are suing over violations of their rights to free speech and assembly by police at anti-war demonstrations at the Port of Tacoma. A jury trial in the case began in federal district court in Tacoma on January 7.
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Protect privacy as Seattle Police drones take off

Published: 
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Seattle can become a national leader in establishing tight regulations for police drones. City leaders should seize the opportunity without delay.
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Judge Rules Lawsuit Against Border Patrol May Move Forward

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
A federal judge issued an order denying the government’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit targeting unlawful U.S. Border Patrol actions in the Olympic Peninsula. The lawsuit seeks to end the Border Patrol’s practice of stopping vehicles and interrogating occupants without legal justification.
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Interactive Map: What Is Your County Spending On Marijuana Law Enforcement?

Published: 
Monday, August 27, 2012
Washington state’s war on marijuana has cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars over the last decade. Every one of Washington’s 39 counties has spent millions of dollars enforcing these laws.
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Agreement with Justice Dept. Presents Opportunity for Lasting Reform

Published: 
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The Dept. of Justice and the City of Seattle have agreed on a proposed consent decree with a  court-appointed monitor to improve policing in Seattle. The agreement is an historic opportunity for Seattle to ensure all residents receive equal and fair treatment by its police force.
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ACLU Urges City’s Leaders to Agree to Consent Decree with Department of Justice

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, May 10, 2012
To ensure that reforms to the Seattle Police Department are fully implemented and long-lasting, the City needs speedily to agree to a consent decree with the Department of Justice that includes a monitor and court oversight. It's clear that the problems within the police department have been so ingrained that our city can't fix them without outside help.
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Lawsuit Challenges Unconstitutional Stops and Interrogations by Border Patrol Agents

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Represented by the ACLU-WA and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, three residents of the Olympic Peninsula have filed a class-action lawsuit challenging the U.S. Border Patrol's practice of stopping vehicles and interrogating occupants without legal justification. People are being stopped based solely on their appearance and ethnicity. This is unlawful and contrary to American values.
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Forks Human Rights Group Statement

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Since 2008, our community members have been going through difficult times due to the racial profiling by Border Patrol agents in our area. We acknowledge the importance of this agency and their job of protecting our borders. We also recognize that some agents have gone beyond their boundaries, showing a lack of professionalism and unethical behavior.
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Warrantless Searches: Once again, Washington Supreme Court Protects Privacy

Published: 
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
If there truly is reason to believe there is evidence of a crime in a vehicle, it is easy enough for the officer to secure the vehicle and obtain a warrant. It’s only in cases where a warrant would be difficult to obtain — cases where there is nothing more than a hunch at play — that this exception comes into play.
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Secure Communities Program Makes Communities Less Secure

Published: 
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Earlier today, the ACLU of Washington joined a number of allies in the immigrant rights community, including El Comite Pro-Reforma Migratoria and CASA Latina, at a press conference in opposition to the ever-expanding Secure Communities (S Comm) program. The press conference was a response to the federal government's move last week, with very little fanfare or publicity, to activate the program for all counties in Washington. Here's why that's bad news for every community in Washington.
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