SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Police are introducing a specialized dialogue team to handle public demonstrations differently.
Officers in blue shirts and police vests, rather than tactical gear, will maintain a presence throughout rallies and protests.
“We have to pay attention to how we’re treating our community in every instance,” Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall told 4 News Now.
Hall explained that traditional police approaches at demonstrations create friction that leads to escalation, shifting protest focus to police actions.
“They’re not dressed for a riot because we’re not expecting a riot. If something occurs where public disorder happens, that means we failed,” Hall said.
The team aims to serve as a voice of reason during conflicts while ensuring constitutional rights are protected. Hall implemented a similar initiative in his previous position.
“The officers understand they, they’re there to calibrate some of these emotions and make sure everybody continues to, to behave in a rational and lawful way,” Hall said.
By maintaining a non-threatening presence, the department hopes to build better relationships with demonstrators while fulfilling public safety duties.
