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Seattle Department's SAFE PLACE Initiative

Law Enforcement Agency Information & Training packet

The Seattle Police Department's (SPD) SAFE PLACE Initiative was established in May of 2015 and designed to address numerous LGBTQ. (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Queer) community issues and concerns that have traditionally impacted enforcement agencies and the communities they serve throughout the Unites States for many generations.

The issues listed below were the motivating factors for the development of the SPD SAFE PLACE Initiative:

• Perceived increases in LGBTQ hate and incidents. • Actual increases in LGBTQ hate crimes and incidents. • Significant under-reporting of anti-LGBTQ crimes and incidents. • Inconsistent/confusing tracking, titling and statistics of bias crimes & incidents (locally and nationwide) • The feeling that the LGBTQ community was losing its identity. • Misinformation and/or confusion regarding the calling of 911. • The perception of mistrust between the LGBTQ community and . • The frustration and political disconnect between the business community, the City and the Police Department relating to increases in , lack of police resources and the resulting loss of revenue. • The perception by select groups within the LGBTQ community that certain businesses may be part of the problem relating to increases in crime (bars overserving and the vast numbers of bar patrons in the area). • Lack of effective communication between members of the LGBTQ community and the police • The reduction in personal interaction between police officers and the business owners/public • Reluctance to call 911 by both the victims of crimes and business owners for a variety of reasons (mistrust, lengthy response times, didn't want to bother the police, the impression that someone else would likely call, etc.). • The lack of LGBTQ community symbolism. • Continuing (and often unreported) school bullying incidents with LGBTQ students • The historic lack of effective communication between law enforcement agencies and other entities. . Lack of a community-specific website with current and useful information for the LGBTQ community. . Law enforcement's lack of knowledge and understanding of current LGBTQ community issues and the awkwardness of addressing and training of such. The public frustration directed at the Mayor's Office for immediate remedies of the above issues (Mayor's Task Force was formed as a result).

The SPD SAFE PLACE Initiative addresses all of these issues and more.

Imoortant Considerations & ImDlementation of SPD SAFE PLACE

The SPD SAFE PLACE Initiative has been very successful since its initial public introduction in May of 2015, HOWEVER, there are a number of considerations that law enforcement agencies wishing to adopt the SPD's SAFE PLACE concept should carefully consider and evaluate prior to implementation:

STAFFING & REPRESENTATION: For the SPD SAFE PLACE concept to work as designed the must assign a LGBTQ liaison officer, deputy and/or agent (either part or full-time) to promote, coordinate, respond to and institute this concept. The employee assigned to oversee the SPD SAFE PLACE concept should be energetic, fully committed to the spirit of this initiative, He or she should fully understand and be able to explain the SPD SAFE PLACE concept to other officers/deputies, the business community and public school system. The employee must be an excellent public speaker and have a proven record within the organization as being reliable and one who can communicate effectively with a variety of LGBTQ groups, other law enforcement agencies, the media, business owners, youth, schools and the community in general.

MESSAGING: To be effective, the SPD SAFE PLACE concept must be well-known and clearly explained to the public, especially to the LGBTQ and business community and School district. This is done through a great deal of personal interaction between the community and the LGBTQ liaison officer, who will clearly explain the SPD SAFE PLACE concept and its mission & goals. The media, businesses and schools that may want to support this concept can often provide free advertising to the law enforcement agency via press conferences, public service announcements, feature articles, news stories, billboard space, bus advertising and other forms of press. Excluding overtime for the liaison officer, the total cost to the Seattle Police Department in 2015 to launch its SPD SAFE PLACE Initiative to the public was less than $3,000 (to cover the printing of Safe Place decals). SYMBOLISM: Although the SPD SAFE PLACE concept was initially designed to assist the victims of anti-LGBTQ hate crimes and anti-LGBTQ student bullying, its spirit and symbolism is inclusive of all crime victims. The colors in the rainbow symbol (although associated with the LGBTQ movement) was designed by the LGBTQ community to express inclusion for everyone, regardless of their gender, race, religion or any other form of differences we have in our society.

DECALS and BRANDING: As with any successful marketing campaign "branding" is a critical element. The SPD SAFE PLACE decal or "brand" must be simple, immediately recognized from a distance, color-contrasting and represent the community in which it is designed to serve. The Seattle Police Department has designed a 4" x 6" full color decal that is appealing to business owners because it does not take up much room in their front window, yet is big enough to send an effective message. The decals can be ordered to apply to either the inside or outside of the premise's window and/or door and MUST have a UV protective application (to reduce sun deterioration). The SPD SAFE PLACE decals should ideally be placed 3'-5' from the ground, near the front entrance of the premise. For schools, the decals should be placed at the front office, and at the entrance to the student's GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) room.

The Seattle Police Department welcomes other law enforcement agencies to replicate our SPD SAFE PLACE design and the SPD will be happy to provide you with the artwork to send to your local printer so that you can put your agency's name and website on them.

NOTE: Ideally, the LGBTQ liaison officer should personally apply the SPD SAFE PLACE decal on each premise, to generate interest in the program, meet with the business owners and organization leaders and to verify that each premise claiming to be a SPD SAFE PLACE participant is posted correctly. If the liaison officer is not able to personally visit each premise, then a mail-out is authorized, PROVIDED, the decal is accompanied by an introduction letter and training instructions (included in this packet).

The SPD SAFE PLACE concept is NOT designed for residential use.

TRAINING for BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS and SCHOOLS: The SPD's SAFE PLACE program initially did not mail out decals in response to on-line requests. The reason for this is that the SPD wanted to insure appropriate training will occur and to verify the decal was properly applied. HOWEVER, the SPD SAFE PLACE program has become so popular throughout the nation that the sheer volumes of requests received required mailing out the decals as the only realistic option.

Ideally, properly training the premise owners and/or managers and school administrators requires face-to-face contact so that those people responsible for training employees, staff, volunteers, etc. are well-versed on the responsibilities associated with becoming an SPD SAFE PLACE participant. It also fosters an effective bond between the liaison officer, premise owners, community leaders, or school officials. A realistic alternative to personally meeting with the business owners is to provide them with an information packet that includes clear instructions on decal application, employee training and other useful information regarding the SPD SAFE PLACE program. (included in this packet).

The TRAINING is SIMPLE, and EASY to REMEMBER:

1. If a victim of any crime, especially an anti-LGBTQ crime enters a SPD SAFE PLACE location, the employees are trained to immediately call 911 (even if the victim does not want them to). 2. The employees are trained to allow the victim to remain on the premise until police arrive. 3. For schools, the same concept applies (for the exception of notifying a teacher or school official) in conjunction with calling the police, (should the incident rise to that level.)

Employees, volunteers, teachers and staff are also instructed to follow their employer's policies and procedures and not engage in any activity that will endanger them or others on the premise. Each employer/manager/leader that speaks to the liaison officer is given a copy of the Conditions of Participation in SPD SAFE PLACE with the above information on it. This personal training only requires 10-15 minutes per location and is very effective.

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT: In addition to the application of decals at each business, organization, school or premise, the SPD SAFE PLACE concept is designed to direct community members to a website that is specifically designed to:

• Bring attention to the importance of calling 911; • Clearly define what a hate crime or bias incident is; • Provide an on-line community input form that goes directly to the agency's LGBTQ liaison for immediate action and follow-up; • Allows community members to sign up for SPD SAFE PLACE participation on-line; • Provide community-based LGBTQ resource information • Link citizens to the law enforcement agency's general website.

IMPLEMENTATION: Although a law enforcement agency's enthusiasm for adopting the SPD SAFE PLACE model is commendable, the SPD SAFE PLACE concept requires more than just applying decals and speaking to the media. Prior to making public announcements, the law enforcement agency must have the infrastructure and staffing to support SAFE PLACE and includes: An employee (liaison) who is allowed the flexibility to devote the time to respond to public inquiries about SPD SAFE PLACE. • Deliver and apply SPD SAFE PLACE decals to each business, school or premise. • Handle all of the other residual responsibilities that SPD SAFE PLACE may require (such as community events/incidents/etc.). • Collaborating with the agency's bias crimes and community resource officers. • Speaking at community meetings • Handling media inquiries following bias incidents. • Educating the public and other law enforcement agencies within your area as to what SPD SAFE PLACE is and represents.

Since the SPD SAFE PLACE concept is relatively new and designed to encourage the reporting of bias crimes or incidents, your agency should develop a universal message designed to address the community's concerns regarding the perceptions surrounding the increase in reporting. Your agency should also prepare for potential feedback from individuals and/or groups that may not embrace diversity and/or support the LGBTQ community. These are all issues that can be dealt with easily, but a plan must be developed in advance.

OUTSIDE INTEREST for the SPD SAFE INITIATIVE: Within months of the SPD's SAFE PLACE Initiative's public launch in May 2015, there has been incredible interest in the concept, not only from other law enforcement , but religious institutions, the Department of Justice and major Press/Media organizations. Letter included in this packet.

In June 2015, Japanese National Television sent a film crew to Seattle to document the SPD's LGBTQ liaison officer distributing SPD SAFE PLACE decals throughout the City. Upon inquiring from the producers of this news story, the Japanese television producer said "because our country never talks about this (LGBTQ) topic, and we think it's time to have that conversation" (with our citizens). Several weeks later, an 8-minute segment on Seattle's LGBTQ progression and the SPD SAFE PLACE concept was broadcast to over 40 million Japanese citizens on the their nightly news.

In November 2015, Seattle Magazine named the developer of the SPD SAFE PLACE concept (SPD Officer Jim Ritter) as one of Seattle's most influential people as a result of his efforts to assist the LGBTQ community and collaboration efforts with the City's businesses, community groups, schools and police.

In the fall of 2015, Starbucks Corporation publically announced their participation in the SPD SAFE PLACE program and included all of their (100) Seattle stores. Starbucks is currently interested in expanding their participation in SPD SAFE PLACE with their stores their mid- Atlantic regions, including Baltimore, Boston, Washington DC, New York & Philadelphia. The SPD LGBTQ liaison is currently collaborating with those listed police agencies/cities to adopt the SPD SAFE PLACE concept in conjunction with Starbucks. Based on Starbucks participation, T- Mobile notified SPD that they will be publically announcing their participation in SPD SAFE PLACE by April of 2016 with their Seattle area stores and may also want to expand the program nationally.

In February of 2016, London's Guardian Newspaper interviewed Officer Ritter regarding the SPD SAFE PLACE Initiative and published an article that was seen by at least 20 million citizens in the and an equal number of readers in the U.S. As recently as last week, the SPD continues to receive on-line SPD SAFE PLACE decal requests from as far as Eastern Europe.

In March of 2016, Harvard University's Kennedy School of Business noted that the SPD SAFE PLACE Initiative had such significant and positive impact nationally that they requested the SPD apply for Harvard's $100,000 Government Innovation Award.

In April of 2106, the Seattle Public Schools Superintendent, Mayor and Seattle Police Chief announced that the SPD Safe Place initiative would be implemented at all 98 Seattle Public Schools (53,000 students). Letter included in this packet.

Numerous police agencies from around the and continue to make inquiries on how to adopt the SPD SAFE PLACE concept in their jurisdictions. This level of residual interest in the SPD SAFE PLACE concept has increased public awareness exponentially regarding Hate Crimes, LGBTQ issues, safety and public collaboration with their police department and officers.

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SPD SAFE PLACE CONCEPT: The effectiveness of the SPD SAFE PLACE concept resulted in instantaneous support from the LGBTQ and business community. The program was so well-received that the U.S. Department of Justice reported that within six months of the SPD SAFE PLACE concept being launched, there was a 23% increase in the level of trust between the LGBTQ community and the SPD. This statistic, combined with an obvious increase in reporting of LGBTQ hate crimes and associated of the suspects who commit them, the LGBTQ community's complaints about the police were reduced significantly. This positive interaction has also eliminated the violence that had previously occurred at LGBTQ protests and demonstrations and increased the positive media coverage regarding the police and LGBTQ community.

The United States Department of Justice and the LGBTQ community have enthusiastically supported the SPD Safe Place concept, especially since it was proactively adopted.

Please feel free to contact the Seattle Police Department's Safe Place Coordinator for more information. For more information on developing your SAFE PLACE, please contact:

Officer Jim Ritter

Seattle Police Department-Community Outreach Bureau/SPD SAFE PLACE Coordinator

James. [email protected]

206-437-3860

SpdSafePlace.com Officer Jim Ritter, Seattle Police Department-BIO

Title:

Current Position: LGBTQ Liaison (full-time) SPD SAFE PLACE Coordinator

Agency: Seattle Police Department

Tenure: 36 years, (33 with SPD)

Other: Developer of the SPD SAFE PLACE initiative

Experience:

Deputy : Kittitas County Sheriffs Office, (Hired at age 18), Served from 1980-83

Patrol & Foot beat positions: All SPD precincts. Hired by SPD 1983

Director & Training Coordinator: 1988-93, Seattle Police Officers' Guild: Proposed, designed and implemented the region's first Gang Conference ever held in the Pacific Northwest that was attended by nearly 2,000 law enforcement officers from seven States and Canada.

Vice Detective: 1988-90, Street Prostitution Squad

Background Detective: 1991-94. Responsible for all Lateral police officer candidate background investigations.

Recruiter: 1999-2003. Designed, proposed and implemented the concept of traveling throughout the U.S. with a full hiring team, including Civil Service examiners to expedite the process of screening, testing, processing and hiring entry-level and lateral Police Officers. Our model was the first of its kind in the Nation and covered by TIME Magazine and other media.

Designed, proposed and implemented SPD's "Career Partnership Program", in which collaboration agreements were formulated with every Community College and University in the State of Washington that allowed students college credits for attending a 2-day class in which upon completion they would be allowed to take Seattle's Civil service test (on site) and potentially be hired by the SPD. It was the first concept of its kind in the U.S.

Proposed and collaborated with one of the worlds' largest advertising firms (JWT) to design (at no cost) a non-traditional "brand" and "slogan" for the SPD to assist in hiring police officers. The final concept and hiring campaign was "A Job Like No Other, In a City Like No Other" and won two international design awards for JWT, including best color design and best overall original concept in advertising (beating out all other Fortune 500 company's advertising campaigns in 1999). I was flown to Chicago to receive the award, along with JWT executives.

Adjunct Professor, Central Washington University: 2000-03. Created and instructed a customized class for college students that desired to become police officers called "Preparing for a Law Enforcement Career" in which they would be taught and tested on every phase of the current police hiring process, thus enhancing their chances of being hired (hopefully by the SPD). This concept was the first of its kind ever developed.

Community Outreach Officer: 2014-Present: Developer of the Seattle Police Department's SAFE PLACE Initiative: This concept is designed to assist the victims of LGBTO. hate crimes and to collaborate with Seattle Business to provide a safe premise for the victims of these crimes until police arrive. This program continues to gain international attention for its innovation, simple design, low cost and community outreach capabilities.

Founder and President, Seattle Museum: 1997-Present: The Police Museum was established in 1997 as a private, 501c-3 educational facility that is designed to enhance police/community relations. The Museum was formed to "demystifying" the police and allows citizens and police officers the opportunity to learn about the historical, cultural and technological changes within the Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff's Office since their inception in the 1860's.

The Police Museum also has the largest fleet of original, vintage police vehicles in the United States. Spanning from 1948-2003, these vehicles travel throughout the Pacific Northwest to special events and cars shows and demonstrates the changes in police transportation. These historic vehicles are a huge community relations tool that are seen by over 1 million citizens per year and establishes positive dialogue between the police and the communities they serve. On occasion I will even respond to calls in our original 1970 Plymouth Satellite and will often speak with nearly 1,000 people per day. (See the Associated Press coverage from 2013)

In the process of completing an 800-page history book on the Seattle Police. This 15-year project will be the most comprehensive and detailed history book on a U.S. Police Department ever published and will discuss all aspects of the SPD, ranging from corruption-plagued scandals, race relations, civil unrest, technology changes, cultural shifts within the organization and historic progressions.

The Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum has consulted with multiple police agencies throughout the U.S. that would like to form their own police museums. In 2009, I designed and assisted in the construction of the Silver Museum in Virginia City, Nevada that is located in the historic 1876 Storey County Courthouse and Jail.

To reach Officer Jim Ritter, please email him at [email protected], or call 206-437-3860 City of Seattle

' Seattle Police Department

Dear Business Owners & Organization Leaders,

In May of 2015, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) launched the SPD SAFE PLACE Initiative, a concept designed to collaborate with businesses and organizations to assist the victims of crimes in general, and LGBTQ hate crimes specifically. Over 1,600 establishments have already enrolled in SPD SAFE PLACE, including all Starbucks and 1-Mobile stores within the City of Seattle. More requests are coming in daily from within and outside the City of Seattle, including businesses and organizations from other states. Numerous requests from Britain and Eastern Europe have also been received.

This is a FREE program that will greatly assist the victims of crime and will notify potential customers from the LGBTQ community that your business/organization is actively assisting with community safety and does not tolerate discrimination of any kind.

I have enclosed two decals, an introduction letter from Chief Kathleen O'Toole and a Training Document in this packet. Please read this information carefully prior to applying the decals.

The reason for two decals is in case the outside decal is damaged and/or removed, the inside decal will always remain. Please place these decals on (or beside) the front door of your premise 3-5 feet frám the ground. If for any reason you need another outside decal or know another business owner who would like to participate in the SPD SAFE PLACE program, please refer to our website at: www.spdsafeplace.com and go to the decal orderform.

You may also contact me at 206-437-3860 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Thank you for your participation in SPD SAFE PLACE to assist the victims of Anti-LGBTQ crimes.

Sincerely,

0 e im Ritter, LGBTQ Liaison

-. ---

Seattle Police Department, 610 Fifth Avenue, P0 Box 34986, Seattle, WA 98124-4986 - An equal employment opportunity, affirmative action employer. Accommodations for people with disabilities provided upon request. Call (206) 233-7203 at least two weeks in advance. SPD SAFE PLACE

What is SPD SAFE PLACE? A citywide initiative designed to assist the victims of crime (anti-LGBTQ crime specifically) and to encourage the reporting of these crimes, reduce LGBT student bullying and enhance the collaboration between the community and the Seattle Police Department to make Seattle a safer place to live.

How dot become a SPD SAFE PLACE parcipant?j Simply log onto SPDSAFEPLACE.com, click decal order form, fill it out and press "submit". This will forward the information directly to the SPD's LGBTQ Liaison officer who will personally deliver your decals and/or posters to your location and further train you and/or your staff on the SPD SAFE PLACE concept. NOTE: This program is not designed for residential use.

What are my responslbilrtles?i Although the SPD SAFE PLACE program is FREE and voluntary, it is important that you educate your staff regarding their responsibilities: (listed below)

your staff should call 911 immediately on the victim's behalf and allow the victim to remain on your premise until police arrive. If the victim leaves prior to police arrival, re-contact 911 and update the operator with the victim's and/or suspect's description and direction of travel. As with any emergency situation your staff should use due care and caution when providing the victims of crime safe shelter while being mindful of the safety of patrons, co-workers and compliance with company policy.

What if ineed more decals, posters or information7i l Please E-mail Officer Jim Ritter at [email protected] or call him at #206-437-3860 SpdSafePlace.com

NOTE Although the titles are similar, the symbolism and mission are not. The National Safe Place program and logo is specifically designed for youth (12-17) who are homeless, runaways, in crisis and/or in need of shelter or other services. In Seattle, this program is operated by YOUTH CARE, Auburn Youth Services & Friends of Youth and offers a toll-free hotline for youth to call for help. 1-300-422--TEEN. September 15, 2015

Kathleen O'Toole, Chief Seattle Police Department SEATTLE 610 Fifth Avenue PUBLIC P.O. Box 24986 Seattle, WA 9812$4986 SCHOOLS

Re: SPD Safe Place initiative

Seattle Public Schools is dedicated to creating safe and welcoming schools for all our students and has been supporting this work for many years. In an effort to continue this work and specifically address safety concerns for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth, we are pleased to partner with the Seattle Police Department (SPD) through its Safe Place Initiative.

Seattle Public Schools will support the Safe Place Initiative efforts by committing to the following:

1: Educating our staff and students (via email) on the SPD Safe Place concept and their role in making it a success. This included communicating the purpose of the Safe Place Initiative with school administrators, front office staff, and district leaders.

2: Allowing the police department to apply SPD Safe Place decals (4"x6") at the entrance to every school within the district, as well as a the entrance to every GaylStraight Alliance (GSA) room within the district.

3: Permitting SPD's LGBTQ liaison officer to speak to the staff and students at each GSA within the district about the SPD Safe Place initiative. This will assist In enhancing trust and build positive relationships between the students and police.

We are happy to work with the Seattle Police Department to address student safety in our schools and communities, and to continue to strengthen the relationships with SPD and Seattle students, staff and families.

Please feel free to contact our staff member, Lisa Love, if you have any questions or need additional assistance (lIoveiseattteschools.org or 206.252.0982) with our continuing support. cSince*, j+ Larry Nylan Supeiintende (7 Cc: Edward B. Murray, Mayor Charles Wright, Deputy Superintendent Michael Tolley, Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Flip Herndon, Associate Superintendent of Operations

- John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence 2445 3rd Avenue South 98134 www.seaLtkschools.org Mailing Address: MS 32-150 90 Box 34165 Seattle, WA 98124-1165 T&: 206.252,0100 Fax: 206.252.0209 r Ij Hf r ' ,

SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT