Seattle is set to become the first city in the nation to implement a comprehensive policy governing the use of ruses by law enforcement officers. The rules, announced by Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, will go into effect on Wednesday and are aimed at addressing concerns raised by the public over the deceptive tactics employed by the Seattle Police Department (SPD) in recent years.

The decision to establish clear guidelines on the use of ruses comes after two highly publicized cases that sparked significant backlash. In 2018, the use of a ruse by a police officer in a hit-and-run case led to the driver's tragic suicide. The officer had wrongly told one of the suspect's friends that the accident had caused critical injuries, prompting the individual to become despondent and take his own life.

In another incident in 2020, the SPD falsely claimed through radio broadcasts that armed members of the right-wing group, Proud Boys, were gathering during the "occupied" Capitol Hill Organized Protest, fueling panic among protesters and prompting some to arm themselves in response.

Under the new ruse rules, the SPD officers will be limited in their use of such tactics, and the policy defines five specific scenarios in which ruses may be employed. These include de-escalation situations, providing comfort or calming individuals, promoting safety, managing scenes, and peacefully resolving potentially violent encounters.

To ensure transparency and accountability, the policy strictly prohibits the broadcast of patrol ruses over mass media platforms such as radio or social media. Furthermore, officers are explicitly forbidden from making or implying promises about prosecution or filing decisions, and any ruse that shocks the conscience will not be allowed.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell emphasized that these new guidelines aim to improve police work and build trust within the community. He stated, "Effective public safety requires community buy-in, and this new policy is an important step to build understanding with the public, demonstrating that for SPD operations to be successful, they must be paired with a commitment to unbiased, constitutional policing."

The policy has been developed over a three-year period with input from accountability experts and law enforcement stakeholders, led by Seattle's Office of Inspector General for Public Safety. As part of the process, supervisor approval will be required for the use of ruses, there will be strict documentation requirements, and additional protections will be put in place for juveniles.

Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz expressed support for the new rules, emphasizing that the policy strikes a balance between using deception for de-escalation and promoting the safety of all individuals, while also ensuring clear guidelines, supervision, and documentation to prevent breaches of public trust.

The implementation of this groundbreaking policy in Seattle aims to restore public confidence in law enforcement and pave the way for more accountable and transparent policing practices.