SPD Statement on the SCC’s Passage of the Hiring Incentive Bill

Statement from the Seattle Police Department following the passage of the Hiring Incentive bill by the Seattle City Council:

“The Seattle Police Department appreciates the Seattle City Council’s support for Mayor Harrell’s hiring incentive plan and applauds today’s passage of CB 120389.

“After losing more than 400 officers over the past two years, it has become very clear SPD’s staffing crisis negatively impacts all people of Seattle, severely reducing the department’s ability to quickly respond to 911 calls and provide a level of public safety the community deserves.

“The department’s staffing crisis also negatively impacts the wellness of SPD’s remaining officers because they are routinely drafted into overtime and augmented shifts to simply cover the precincts’ minimum staffing requirements. It is SPD’s hope that, in addition to hiring incentives for new recruits who are desperately needed, a retention bonus may also be possible to preserve the continued employment of the dedicated, loyal, and fully trained officers who remain in service to all people of Seattle.”