SEATTLE - The ACLU says the Seattle Police Department needs leadership, de-escalation training and cross-cultural skills that will help minimize the chances of fatal street encounters.
"There's been too much violence by the Seattle police against its citizens," said Kathleen Taylor, ACLU director.
The group is the latest to criticize the Seattle Police Department after the shooting death of a Native American wood carver.
Outside of the Seattle Police Department headquarters Wednesday, a silent vigil was held for the victim, John Williams.
Mourners say Williams was a mild-mannered man. The group of demonstrators says five eye-witnesses say Williams did not threaten the officer who shot and killed Williams a week ago Monday.
"There is no reason this huge officer, a tall man, could not have used his baton to knock the knife from John's hand. Where was his taser? How is a short knife going to go through a bullet-proof vest?" asked Williams' friend, Mary Alice Knotts.
Seattle Police Deputy Chief Clark Kimerer says the police review board will hold its first hearing on the case on October 4.
"With the panel convened we are going to ask hard questions and get to the truth of what occurred," said Kimerer.
Native American Community Responds
More than a hundred people gathered at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center to ask questions about the shooting Wednesday night, including why deadly force was used.
Seattle Police Chief John Diaz provided no new answers on the incident, but did say many officers do not have tasers. Diaz says he plans to issue more of the devices to officers.
Shanawa Littlebow, of Seattle, says Williams was a friend, and an accomplished Native American carver. He says he wasn't reassured by what he heard Wednesday night.
"I have no faith in their process no faith in the system that basically sides with the Police Department," she said.
Assistant Chief Nick Metz did apologize to the crowd for how he described Williams prior history at the scene, and in other interviews with the media. Metz said he regretted talking about it.
"It's not something I should have said," he said.
McGinn responds
Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn was not at the meeting, but did issue a statement saying he meets with the Chief and senior SPD leaders once a week and "one of the things they have been discussing is de-escalation training, which they were discussing before the death of John Williams."
McGinn says there will be a thorough investigation into what happened and he is "committed to meeting with Native Americans and other communities to discuss their concerns."
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