Overview
- An internal Jan. 1 email from Chief Shon Barnes said most drug possession and public-use charges would be diverted to the LEAD program, with sales and ineligible cases excluded.
- Seattle Police said officers will continue to make drug-related arrests when probable cause exists, with the City Attorney’s Office then determining next steps.
- Mayor Katie Wilson said there has been no policy change and pledged enforcement of the city’s public-use and possession ordinance in priority situations.
- The Seattle Police Officers Guild alleged city leadership effectively paused open-use arrests and criticized LEAD as ineffective, drawing sharp pushback from city officials.
- City Attorney Erika Evans issued guidance for LEAD liaison review of public-use reports before filing, set against the backdrop of the Blake ruling and the 2023 state law restoring possession and public-use offenses as gross misdemeanors.