The police advisory councils reflect the diverse communities that call Bellevue home and are an essential element of our community-building efforts. The councils allow us to partner with community members to guide our decision and policymaking. Council members provide input and feedback on police initiatives and major incidents, helping to ensure we meet the needs of all the Bellevue communities we serve. There are seven advisory councils including African American, Muslim, Latino/Latina, LGBTQI+, Interfaith, Asian/Pacific Islander, and South Asian residents.
The goal of the advisory councils is to strengthen the relationship between the department and the community through trust, respect, and mutual understanding. We do this by establishing an environment that promotes dialogue, education, and a true partnership. The councils collaborate with the department on projects, provide guidance on best practices and approaches, help to identify barriers that exist between police officers and members of the community and develop strategies to eliminate those barriers.
The councils meet once a month, alternating between individual council meetings and group events. Council members will have the opportunity for behind-the-scenes experiences and training sessions with the Bellevue Police Department, including police ride-alongs, defensive tactics training, driving training, recruitment and use of force exercises, to name a few.
If you are interested in joining an advisory council, you can apply here. If you'd like more information, please contact Major Alycia McKinney at amckinney@bellevuewa.gov.