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Seattle Police Get Justice Dept.'s Reform Recommendations

A day after Seattle's mayor proposed nearly two dozen police reforms in response to a damning federal report, U.S. Justice Department representatives delivered their own list of proposed changes during a closed-door meeting with city officials.

A day after Seattle's mayor proposed nearly two dozen police reforms in response to a damning federal report, U.S. Justice Department representatives delivered their own list of proposed changes during a closed-door meeting with city officials.

Neither the details of the federal recommendations nor the city's response were immediately available Friday.

However, U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan says she's optimistic the two sides can reach an agreement, especially after Mayor Mike McGinn and Police Chief John Diaz released their list of suggested police reforms Thursday.

During an 11-month investigation, Justice Department officials found that Seattle police routinely used unconstitutional excessive force. The probe was prompted by a series of high-profile clashes between minorities and police, including the fatal shooting of a Native American woodcarver.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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