FAQ

• What is the Seattle Group for Police Accountability (SGPA)?
  • We are a volunteer-based group in Seattle that is focused on holding the Seatte Police Department (SPD) accountable. Learn more about us here.
• What are the goals of SGPA?
  • In short, our goals are to pressure the SPD into being consistently accountable for misconduct and to prevent them from overstepping their expected role in our community.
• Does SGPA support defunding or abolishing the police?
  • At minimum, we fully support defunding the police and reinvesting those funds into our community.
• How does SGPA fit into the Black Lives Matter Movement?
  • Unchecked police brutality and unaccountability are parts of an overall system of oppression. While there are moves being made to abolish or defund police, we in Seattle see that the police will continue to exist in some capacity and therefore need community involvement to keep them accountable. We are a diverse group of people who care about our fellow residents and how they are treated by the SPD. We are supporting the BLM movement by volunteering our time to pressure the SPD (and various leaders) to be just, fair, and accountable for their actions towards BIPOC.
• What does SGPA want to accomplish first?
  • To educate the public on the history of police accountability in Seattle, the current accountability system, and the obstacles to full accountability.
• Can I support or join SGPA?
  • Yes! We have a variety of ways to volunteer at all levels of availability. You can also check out our Instagram or Twitter and help spread our message by engaging and sharing our content.
• Can I be involved if I am not a Seattle resident?
  • If you are connected to Seattle as a resident, frequent visitor, worker - yes. We welcome those who care about the well-being of our city.
• How is SGPA centering the voices and needs of the Black community?
  • We have synced up with local Black activist groups and community leaders to ensure our efforts empower the Black community. Our social media accounts amplify Black voices (individuals and groups) by sharing their content. We also have a racially diverse group of volunteers and leaders that keep the Black community's needs top of mind when we approach our work.
• What methods are SGPA using to hold police accountable?
  • Our work includes researching all legal matters and materials related to the SPD, conducting community outreach through education, writing policy proposals and petitions, rallying around issues, protests, social media posting, and more. Learn more about us here.
• Which local organizations does SGPA stand with?
  • We support many local groups, including Black Lives Matter Seattle King County, Defund SPD, Decriminalize Seattle, Seattle Accountability Project, and King County Equity Now - just to name a few.
• Does SGPA work with the Office of Police Accountability (OPA)?
  • No, we are an independent community-based group. We are open to lines of communication with the OPA.
• Does SGPA work with the Community Police Commission (CPC)?
  • No, we are an independent community-based group. We are hoping to support their goals as they align with our efforts and the needs of the Black community. We are open to lines of communication with the CPC.
• What recommendations does SGPA have for those documenting acts of police violence?
  • Please document responsibly. Keep yourself and those around you safe. Don’t show the faces of protesters in your videos and images. Submit evidence with as much information as possible to legal groups, such as the National Lawyers Guild.