Seattle Police Union Pushes Back Against Mayor’s Directive

The leader of the union for Seattle police officers expressed strong opposition on Friday to a directive from Democratic Mayor Katie Wilson, labeling it “ridiculous.” This directive instructs local police to investigate, verify, and document activities involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for potential prosecution.

Mike Solan, who heads the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG), took to social media to voice his concerns. He pointed out that this kind of “virtue signaling” has already had dire consequences, mentioning that two lives have been lost due to similar measures. Solan stated that the concept of putting two armed law enforcement agencies at odds with each other is absurd and vowed that SPOG members would not be manipulated for political purposes.

In a previous interview, Wilson had downplayed issues surrounding allegations of welfare fraud linked to Somali scammers, indicating that her focus wasn’t on investigating fraud but rather on not vilifying immigrant communities. She argued that targeting these communities is more about dividing them than addressing any wrongdoing.

This is not the first time the mayor and the police union leader have sparred. Their clashes have included debates over policies regarding drug user arrests. Solan criticized a new policy that would see drug users redirected to social services, while Wilson maintained that there had been no significant changes to existing policies.

During her mayoral campaign, Wilson advocated for various reforms, including enhancing governmental equity, and pledged to create a diverse cabinet. Her approach emphasized community-focused initiatives, even as discussions around enforcement and safety continue to unfold.