Local

Seattle police union files complaint over body-camera order

Some Seattle police officers are now wearing body cameras.

SEATTLE — The Seattle Police Officers Guild has filed a complaint over Mayor Ed Murray's decision to require officers to wear body cameras.

The union said Wednesday it's not opposed to body cameras, but the issue must be addressed through collective bargaining.

Murray announced on July 17 that negotiations over the use of body cameras had stalled and he was taking immediate action to avoid having any significant uses of force undocumented by video, as happened last month when two officers killed Charleena Lyles, a 30-year-old mother with mental health problems. Bicycle officers downtown began using body cameras on Saturday.

TRENDING NOW:

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

But the guild denies that talks had broken down, and says it and the city have met for only one negotiation session since a body-camera pilot program ended last March.

The unfair labor practice complaint was filed with the state Public Employees Relations Commission.