Chief Best says no tear gas at Saturday protests, but officers will have pepper spray

SEATTLE — In a Saturday morning blotter post, Seattle police Chief Carmen Best said officers will not deploy tear gas during protests planned for the afternoon, but will use other crowd control methods.

This announcement comes after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order late Friday, blocking an ordinance that would ban the use of tear gas, pepper spray and other crowd dispersal tools.

>> Federal judge blocks ordinance to ban tear gas, other tools to disperse crowds

The ordinance was passed unanimously June 15 by the City Council following an uproar over SPD’s use of force during demonstrations.

Best said that officers will be carrying pepper spray and blast balls “as would be typical for events that carry potential to include violence.”

“This is consistent with existing policy and the Court’s order of early this morning. SPD promises the community that we will not deploy CS (tear) gas,” the blotter post read.

Read the full post here.

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