Community groups want a say and more transparency in negotiations between the city of Seattle and the Justice Department over police department reforms.

The DOJ issued a report last winter saying that Seattle police had a pattern or practice of using excessive force, often in response to minor offenses, and it's threatening to sue Seattle in federal court unless the city agrees to make changes that include reporting all uses of force, no matter how minor, and hiring more sergeants to be front-line supervisors.

The sides have been in discussions that could lead to a settlement overseen by an independent monitor. But on Thursday a coalition of community groups, called the Minority Executive Directors Coalition, said the groups are concerned any agreement might not adequately reflect their concerns. They say they want a seat at the table for the negotiations.