Mayor Bruce Harrell of Seattle on Wednesday unveiled a $2 million plan to alleviate the city’s severe officer shortage.
It includes signing bonuses, moving expense reimbursement, and potential financial aid for education.
Over the previous two and a half years, the city has lost more than 400 police officers, which, according to Harrell’s office, has caused a situation “where basic services cannot be delivered swiftly and effectively.”
Just 954 trained and deployable officers were present in Seattle as of May, which is the lowest number in more than three decades, according to the plan, which also notes that the agency has recently struggled to fulfill yearly recruiting targets.
“To provide a minimum level of service, SPD must make up for this severe staffing shortage by relying on overtime-paid officers almost daily, a significant expense to the city,” the plan states, adding that the situation is contributing to fatigue and low morale among officers and jeopardizing public safety.
Patrol responsibilities have been required of about 40% of Seattle detectives.
One million dollars has already been allocated by the City Council for employment and recruitment incentives. These funds were saved from unpaid police pay.
In 2019, calls to defund the police were supported by City Council members as the force came under fire for its occasionally violent response to racial justice protests.
“We want the right numbers of officers and the right kind of officers,” said Harrell. “It crosses racial lines, it crosses socioeconomic lines that people want to feel safe, and they have a right to feel safe.”
Harrell wants to give signing incentives of up to $30,000 to anyone who leaves one police department for another.
Up to $7,500 would be given to new cops.
He demanded that candidates be compensated for their application fees, travel charges, and relocation costs.
