In this episode of On the Job with PORAC, PORAC President Brian Marvel and Vice President Ben Terrio sit down with attorney and police policy expert Bob Scales to discuss one of the most controversial issues facing modern law enforcement: federal consent decrees.

Drawing from PORAC’s report Evaluating Police Consent Decrees: From Compliance to Results, the conversation explores how these federal oversight agreements impact officer morale, recruitment, public safety, city budgets, and local control of policing. Bob Scales shares firsthand experience working inside Seattle’s federal consent decree and breaks down how many of these agreements evolve into years-long compliance systems that cost taxpayers millions while raising serious questions about effectiveness and accountability.

The episode also examines the growing financial burden placed on cities, the role of federal judges and monitors, the lack of transparency surrounding DOJ investigations, and the need for legislative reform and guardrails moving forward.

As more agencies across the country face increasing federal scrutiny, this episode serves as an important discussion about balancing accountability, constitutional policing, public safety, and local governance.

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Brian Marvel

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Ben Therriault

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LinkedIn: / btherriault