Sean Whitcomb is an internet safety advocate and creator of the first anti-swatting registry.[1] He retired from American law enforcement in 2020 to pursue a career in the video game industry.[2][3][4]

Career

Whitcomb joined the Seattle Police Department in 1995, serving as a patrol officer, detective and sergeant. In 2008, Whitcomb led SPD's public affairs and digital engagement efforts[5] until his retirement in 2020.[6][7]

Upon retiring from public service, Whitcomb took a job with Sony Interactive Entertainment to focus on trust and safety within the video game industry.[8][9]

Internet Safety Advocacy

In 2018, following the swatting death of Andrew Finch in Wichita, Kansas, members of Seattle's online broadcaster community contacted Whitcomb, then in charge of public affairs and digital engagement for the Seattle Police Department, to express concerns about swatting.[10][11]

After researching swatting prevention, Whitcomb created a system built on three core principles: improved swatting detection in the Seattle 9-1-1 Center, application of de-escalation techniques by responding patrol officers, and a confidential online registry that could be cross-checked by 9-1-1 call takers.[12] The registry itself was built on a RaveMobile Safety platform at no extra cost to taxpayers[13] and offered Seattle residents an opportunity to sign up for the service confidentially.[14]

Whitcomb's concept has since been replicated by police department's beyond Seattle, including Wichita, Kansas.[15]

In 2019, Whitcomb formed and co-chaired the Swatting Mitigation Advisory Committee, composed of both police and community members, working alongside co-chair Naveed Jamali[16] to collect data and insights regarding swatting crimes in Seattle.

In 2020, Whitcomb joined ADL Pacific Northwest in testifying before Washington State House and Senate sub-committees in support of Washington's first law against swatting.[17][18][19][20]

Personal life

Whitcomb attended University of Washington and graduated in 1994 with a degree in Speech Communication, before joining the Seattle Police Department in 1995.[21] He lives in Issaquah, Washington with his family.

References

  1. ↑ "Swatting Is a Deadly Problem—Here's the Solution". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  2. ↑ Affairs, Public (2020-04-13). "A Departure From Seattle Police Public Affairs and the Addition of a New Team Member". SPD Blotter. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  3. ↑ "Trolls turned 911 into a weapon. Now cops are fighting back". NBC News. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  4. ↑ "Magnolia residents' AI-powered surveillance camera tracks people, cars at entrance to neighborhood, experts caution bias". www.seattletimes.com/.
  5. ↑ "Seattle police spokesman plays video game while talking about fatal shooting of Charleena Lyles; video removed". www.seattletimes.com/.
  6. ↑ "At Seattle pot fest, police to protect -- and serve tortilla chips". Los Angeles Times. 2013-08-16. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  7. ↑ Twietmeyer, Nick (2016-08-10). "How Seattle Is Fighting Needles With Needles". Seattle Weekly. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  8. ↑ Constant, Paul; Graves, Jen; Herz, Ansel; Holden, Dominic; Madrid, Cienna; Minard, Anna. "The Smartest People in Seattle Politics". The Stranger. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  9. ↑ "Swatting: A Deadly Twenty-First Century Prank". South Seattle Emerald. 2020-01-09. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  10. ↑ "Seattle police think they've found a way to fight "swatters" as soon as they call 911". www.vice.com. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  11. ↑ "Swatting Is a Deadly Problem—Here's the Solution". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  12. ↑ "Trolls turned 911 into a weapon. Now cops are fighting back". NBC News. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  13. ↑ "Seattle police try new tactic to give game streamers and others defense against 'swatting' crimes". GeekWire. 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  14. ↑ "Anti-Swatting PSA - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  15. ↑ Morse, Jack. "Police implement a solution to swatting, and it's spreading". Mashable. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  16. ↑ "Protect Yourself from Swatting - Police | seattle.gov". www.seattle.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  17. ↑ "LEGISLATIVE NEWS: Legislature approves anti-swatting measure – Washington State House Democrats". Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  18. ↑ "House passes anti-swatting legislation to increase punishments for false police reports – Javier Valdez". Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  19. ↑ "Washington State Legislature". app.leg.wa.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  20. ↑ "Tech Moves: New GM at Microsoft for Startups; PayScale hires execs; former Docker CFO's stealth startup; and more". GeekWire. 2020-05-08. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  21. ↑ "Akolade Event". www.akolade.com.au. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
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