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Leadership and Members

Advisory Board Member, Former Police Chief, Seattle, Washington

Carmen Best

Carmen Best is the former Police Chief of the Seattle Police Department in Washington. She served with the Seattle Police Department for 28 years. After rising through the ranks from officer to chief, Best became the first Black woman to hold this role. While chief, Best increased diversity within the force, prioritized community engagement, strived for greater equity in traffic enforcement, and more. Best is a recipient of the “Newsmaker of the Year” award from the Seattle Black Press, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Vision from the Mountaintop Award from Urban Impact.
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We aim to build a fairer and more effective criminal justice system by replacing ineffective policies with practical, tested practices that reduce both crime and unnecessary incarceration.

Priority Issues

  • Reducing the Scope of the Criminal Justice System
  • Promoting Safer and Healthier Communities
  • Improving Training and Prioritizing Community Relationships
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