{{short description|American internet safety advocate}} '''Sean Whitcomb''' is an internet safety advocate and creator of the first anti-swatting registry.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Swatting Is a Deadly Problem—Here's the Solution|language=en-us|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-stop-swatting-before-it-happens-seattle/|access-date=2021-01-08|issn=1059-1028}}</ref> He retired from American law enforcement in 2020 to pursue a career in the video game industry.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Affairs|first=Public|date=2020-04-13|title=A Departure From Seattle Police Public Affairs and the Addition of a New Team Member|url=https://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2020/04/13/a-departure-from-seattle-police-public-affairs-and-the-addition-of-a-new-team-member/|access-date=2021-01-08|website=SPD Blotter|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Trolls turned 911 into a weapon. Now cops are fighting back|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/all/trolls-turned-911-weapon-now-cops-are-fighting-back-n1105991|access-date=2021-01-08|website=NBC News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Magnolia residents' AI-powered surveillance camera tracks people, cars at entrance to neighborhood, experts caution bias|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/magnolia-residents-ai-powered-surveillance-camera-tracks-people-cars-at-entrance-to-neighborhood-experts-caution-bias/|access-date=|website=www.seattletimes.com/}}</ref>
== 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<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Seattle police spokesman plays video game while talking about fatal shooting of Charleena Lyles; video removed|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/seattle-police-spokesman-plays-video-game-while-talking-about-fatal-shooting-of-charleena-lyles-video-removed/|access-date=|website=www.seattletimes.com/}}</ref> until his retirement in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-08-16|title=At Seattle pot fest, police to protect -- and serve tortilla chips|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-xpm-2013-aug-16-la-na-nn-seattle-pot-festival-police-20130816-story.html|access-date=2021-01-08|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Twietmeyer|first=Nick|date=2016-08-10|title=How Seattle Is Fighting Needles With Needles|url=https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/how-seattle-is-fighting-needles-with-needles/|access-date=2021-01-08|website=Seattle Weekly|language=en-US}}</ref>
Upon retiring from public service, Whitcomb took a job with Sony Interactive Entertainment to focus on trust and safety within the video game industry.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Constant|first1=Paul|last2=Graves|first2=Jen|last3=Herz|first3=Ansel|last4=Holden|first4=Dominic|last5=Madrid|first5=Cienna|last6=Minard|first6=Anna|title=The Smartest People in Seattle Politics|url=https://www.thestranger.com/seattle/the-smartest-people-in-seattle-politics/Content?oid=18203654|access-date=2021-01-08|website=The Stranger|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-09|title=Swatting: A Deadly Twenty-First Century Prank|url=https://southseattleemerald.com/2020/01/09/swatting-a-deadly-twenty-first-century-prank/|access-date=2021-01-08|website=South Seattle Emerald|language=en-US}}</ref>
== 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Seattle police think they've found a way to fight "swatters" as soon as they call 911|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/seattle-police-think-they-found-a-way-to-fight-swatters-as-soon-as-they-call-911/|access-date=2021-01-08|website=Vice.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Swatting Is a Deadly Problem—Here's the Solution|language=en-us|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-stop-swatting-before-it-happens-seattle/|access-date=2021-01-08|issn=1059-1028}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trolls turned 911 into a weapon. Now cops are fighting back|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/all/trolls-turned-911-weapon-now-cops-are-fighting-back-n1105991|access-date=2021-01-08|website=NBC News|language=en}}</ref> The registry itself was built on a RaveMobile Safety platform at no extra cost to taxpayers<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-10-01|title=Seattle police try new tactic to give game streamers and others defense against 'swatting' crimes|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2018/seattle-police-try-new-tactic-give-game-streamers-others-defense-swatting-pranks/|access-date=2021-01-08|website=GeekWire|language=en-US}}</ref> and offered Seattle residents an opportunity to sign up for the service confidentially.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Anti-Swatting PSA - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q04L4crzL_U|access-date=2021-01-08|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
Whitcomb's concept has since been replicated by police department's beyond Seattle, including Wichita, Kansas.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morse|first=Jack|title=Police implement a solution to swatting, and it's spreading|url=https://mashable.com/article/wichita-police-swatting-registry/|access-date=2021-01-08|website=Mashable|language=en}}</ref>
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<ref>{{Cite web|title=Protect Yourself from Swatting - Police {{!}} seattle.gov|url=https://www.seattle.gov/police/need-help/swatting|access-date=2021-01-08|website=www.seattle.gov}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LEGISLATIVE NEWS: Legislature approves anti-swatting measure – Washington State House Democrats|url=https://housedemocrats.wa.gov/valdez/2020/03/11/legislative-news-legislature-approves-anti-swatting-measure/|access-date=2021-01-08|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=House passes anti-swatting legislation to increase punishments for false police reports – Javier Valdez|url=https://housedemocrats.wa.gov/valdez/2020/02/12/legislative-news-house-passes-anti-swatting-legislation-to-increase-punishments-for-false-police-reports/|access-date=2021-01-08|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Washington State Legislature|url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2632&Year=2019&Initiative=falsePublic%20Hearing|access-date=2021-01-08|website=app.leg.wa.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-08|title=Tech Moves: New GM at Microsoft for Startups; PayScale hires execs; former Docker CFO's stealth startup; and more|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2020/tech-moves-new-gm-at-microsoft-for-startups-payscale-hires-execs-former-docker-cfos-stealth-startup-and-more/|access-date=2021-01-08|website=GeekWire|language=en-US}}</ref>
== 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Akolade Event|url=https://www.akolade.com.au/events/cloud_services_summit_2016/speakers/Sean-Whitcomb.html|access-date=2021-01-08|website=www.akolade.com.au}}</ref> He lives in Issaquah, Washington with his family.
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitcomb, Sean}} Category:Living people Category:University of Washington alumni Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Law enforcement officials from Seattle