Seattle Police Department Policy Manual

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) publishes its policies online, including directives on patrol operations, use of force, vehicle pursuits, investigations, community engagement, civilian oversight, and new-technology integration. The manual reflects a major Pacific Northwest city with overlaying federal and state civil rights expectations, union agreements, and significant public transparency requirements.

Promotion preparation at SPD should begin with a list of core topics: use of force, pursuits, body-worn cameras, supervisory documentation, community engagement, internal investigations, and policy updates driven by oversight boards. Build a rotating study plan that cycles through these key topics weekly, then add scenario drills reflecting Seattle-specific challenges (large events, tech-industry areas, transit corridor incidents, maritime assets). Each night, write a one-paragraph “Supervisor action” for one of those topics: what you will do, who you notify, how you document.

Suggested SPD priority topics:

- Use of Force and De-escalation – strict state and federal oversight, and robust review processes.
- Vehicle Pursuits & Emergency Driving – city traffic, transit interfaces, high-density neighborhoods.
- Body-Worn Cameras & Digital Evidence – activation rules, review, retention, and supervisory audit roles.
- Community Policing, Transparency & Complaint Systems – high public-visibility environment with robust oversight.
- Supervisory Responsibilities in Internal Investigations and Use of Force Reviews – watch command, evaluation, notification chains.

Understanding how SPD balances operational demands with oversight expectations is key for promotion success.

For SPD promotional exams:

1. **Focus on compliance-driven policy.** Seattle’s environment places emphasis on policy compliance, audits, review, and documentation; expect test items that highlight those elements.
2. **Scenario practice with public/tech overlays.** Build scenarios that incorporate protests, large-scale events, transit stops, or tech-industry sensitive areas and practice applying policy in those contexts.
3. **Use the “supervisor” lens when reading mentions of review and audit.** Highlight every line that states a supervisor must evaluate, approve, or review an officer’s action — those are exam triggers.
4. **Keep an update log.** Because Seattle policy evolves frequently with oversight and technology changes, keep a simple log of policy revisions and review new sections before testing.