Officer Jim Ritter currently serves in the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) Community Outreach Section and was appointed the SPD's first full-time LGBTQ Liaison by Chief Kathleen O'Toole in 2014.  In this capacity, he is one of the only full-time LGBTQ liaisons in the United States and developed, implemented and oversees the SPD Safe Place Initiative. This initiative was the first of its kind in the world where a law enforcement agency actively collaborated with businesses, community advocates, activists and other government entities for the purpose of increasing public awareness and protecting the victims of hate crimes. The residual impacts of the Safe Place Initiative are vast and Ritter works diligently in educating and providing training to outside law enforcement agencies and community groups on LGBTQ/police relations, hate crime awareness & reduction methods. His creation of innovative solutions to LGBTQ community concerns, including increased awareness relating to law enforcement interaction with the Transgender community, has won him recognition from even the harshest of police critics. Jim's additional duties include consulting with hundreds of law enforcement and community groups annually and working closely with local, national and international media organizations relating to hate crimes awareness and reduction methods.  Officer Ritter is also a subject matter expert and professional (paid) consultant and instructor for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

Jim’s law enforcement career began in1980 as a Deputy Sheriff with Kittitas County (WA).  At age 18, Ritter became the youngest sworn law enforcement officer to be hired in the State of Washington. Since joining the Seattle Police Department in 1983, Jim has served in various capacities within the SPD including Patrol, Foot Beats, Specialty Anti-Crime Units, Vice, Human Resources-Background Investigations, Recruiting and Community Outreach. 

In addition to his police duties, Ritter has also served multiple terms as a Union Director for the Seattle Police Officers’ Guild and is an internationally recognized police historian through his duties as the Founder & President of the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum. Ritter has served as an Adjunct Professor at Central Washington University and creating his own course of study: Preparing for a Law Enforcement Career, to assist in bolstering the Seattle Police Department's recruiting efforts and educating students on the factual dynamics of entering the law enforcement profession. Officer Ritter also lectures on Hate Crimes Awareness, LGBTQ/Police Relations and Innovative Community Outreach throughout North America and Europe. His interest and passion in effective law enforcement training & community outreach dates back to the 1980's and his ongoing efforts are well known throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.