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A press conference is underway in the mayor's office now, just one day before the Department of Justice hands down its terms for reforming our troubled police force. Mayor Mike McGinn and his police chief are trying to reframe the discussion by issuing a 20-month plan for reforming the Seattle Police Department's practices. McGinn says the city's reforms will go "far beyond" the standards that will ultimately be required in a federal court settlement, addressing concerns in a critical DOJ report issued in December.

Police Chief John Diaz says the plan—which requires changes from requiring all patrol officer to undergo crisis intervention training to restricting the use of pepper spray at protests—is on an "ambitious but doable timeline," adding, "Some of them will be a stretch to get them done."

This politicized charge falls after talks among elected leaders broke down three weeks ago, as first reported by The Stranger on Tuesday.

I'm writing up the press conference now. In the meantime, there are two new important documents for you to review: (1) The mayor's 20 initiatives to be implemented in 20 months; and (2) The Seattle City Council's six-page letter lamenting the breakdown of collaboration and suggesting its own reforms.