Port of Seattle Executive Director Steve Metruck announced Tuesday, June 23, 2020 immediate changes to Port of Seattle Police Department protocols regarding hiring practices, commitment to diversity, and use of force.

Metruck also endorsed a proposal by the Commission for a comprehensive assessment of police policies and practices and recommendations for reforms.

The Port of Seattle Police Department, with 112 commissioned officers, provides the primary law enforcement service to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and the Port’s maritime properties.

Port Police also provide mutual aid requests to other jurisdictions and are trained at the same facilities as other jurisdictions statewide.

“The Commission proposal would create a new Task Force on Policing and Civil Rights to guide the comprehensive police department assessment and report recommendations to the public,” the Port said in a statement. “The Task Force will include two Commissioners, representatives from the Port’s Blacks in Government employee resource group, the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Port Police, Legal, Labor Relations, and other Port corporate and business divisions. External representatives on the task force may include community leaders, including civil rights advocates, and experts on criminal justice and law enforcement.”