Managing a Peaceful Outcome: Reflections on the Recent Protest in Bellevue

This past Sunday, Bellevue Police officers responded to a protest in downtown Bellevue which temporarily blocked traffic on Bellevue Way. We understand this event has resulted in concerns within our community. The Bellevue Police Department prides itself on being a transparent organization, and, as such, is happy to address concerns and shed light on the police approach employed during the event. As with every event, we will learn from this experience and apply this knowledge to our approach in the future to ensure lawful and successful demonstrations.

It is crucial to emphasize that the Chief of Police, or a designated incident commander, is responsible for directing police tactics during any operation. The primary goal is to protect the community from harm, ensuring the safety of both people and property. Managing a large crowd involves considering a variety of factors, always with the paramount consideration of maintaining public safety. It’s important to acknowledge that every situation is unique, and the incident commander must manage the situation movement by movement. The decisions made during the protest were guided by a committment to achieving a peaceful resolution, taking into account the safety of all involved.

In the case of the recent demonstration, no one was hurt, emergency response was not affected, and there was minimal disruption to travel. This positive result is a testament to the safety-for-all approach and good work of the dedicated members of the Bellevue Police Department. Also, in every incident, our officers and incident commanders always consider de-escalation tactics when making their decisions.

Chief Shirley wants to assure the community that the officers who responded to the protest on Sunday worked diligently to ensure a minimally disruptive and peaceful outcome for all.

We appreciate your understanding as we navigate the complexities of managing responses to events with the best interest of the community at heart. The Bellevue Police Department remains committed to serving and protecting our community and is pleased to say the department delivered on that promise during the demonstrations over the weekend. In addition, we will continue to learn and adapt to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in Bellevue.