For WCPA, reducing police violence and increasing police accountability is the heart and soul of our mission and we are centered on families who have lost loved ones to police violence. One of the ways we support families across the state is to show up for them during difficult times. This month we are organizing court support for the family of David Novak in Spokane.

Imagine a person in a mental health crisis on the street. Somebody calls the police, and when they arrive the person is brandishing a sword, threatening people. His coworkers say he has been despondent lately. Or imagine a perpetrator of domestic violence, intoxicated and yelling “Go ahead. Kill me!”

Since the Charleena Lyles Inquest, we have been asked, “Will the state legislative changes from 2021 requiring de-escalation make a difference?”