The change we want · Auburn, Washington
Public safety with dignity.
We want law enforcement that de-escalates, treats people with dignity, and helps people in crisis.
Last reviewed
The reported incident · October 28, 2026
The Seattle Times reported that video of an Auburn arrest showed an officer repeatedly punching a man in the street. The officer was placed on administrative leave. The report noted that the circulating video did not show what happened before or after the repeated punches.
KIRO 7 and FOX 13 also covered the encounter. Police said they were responding to reports of a man running into traffic and trying to enter moving vehicles; those accounts are the department’s explanation of the response.
What we don’t want
We don’t want people bloodied by repeated punches from an officer. We expect the city to explain what happened and account for the force its officers use.
What we do want — our proposals
- De-escalation: prioritize calming situations and reducing the need for force.
- Dignity: treat every person as a member of our community.
- Proportionate responses: use responses appropriate to the situation and the person’s needs.
- Crisis support: connect people in crisis with appropriate care and support.
These are the practices we want Auburn to prioritize. The incident summary above describes reporting, not a final investigative finding.