Judge wants first crack at Seattle police accountability law

SEATTLE (AP) — A federal judge says he wants to review any police-accountability legislation being considered by the city of Seattle before the City Council votes on it.

U.S. District Judge James Robart has been overseeing reforms at the Seattle Police Department under a 2012 consent decree between the city and the Justice Department.

In an order Tuesday, the judge rejected a joint suggestion made by the city and the DOJ that any legislation related to police accountability be brought to him after it's passed, so that he can evaluate whether it complies with the consent decree.

Robart said that might prove a waste of time and put him in the position of having to essentially veto an approved law. Instead, Robart said he wants the legislation brought to him first.