In a bid to overhaul police recruitment and retention, Mayor Bruce Harrell has put forth a new tentative agreement for Seattle's rank-and-file officers. According to a release on the mayor's official website, the proposition aims to bolster public safety by increasing officer pay, enhancing oversight mechanisms, and broadening the scope of civilian involvement in safety services. Harrell's legislation awaits the nod of the Seattle City Council following an earlier ratification by the Seattle Police Officers Guild.
"Our highest priority is a safe and healthy Seattle – and this tentative agreement is a shared commitment with our police officers to continue strengthening public safety," Harrell said. In the mix are wage increases retroactive to 2021 – 1.3%, 6.4% for 2022, and 15.3% for 2023, positioning Seattle cops among the state's top earners in law enforcement. The police are also expected to see enhanced accountability, requiring an arbitrator to defer to the imposed discipline by the Police Chief in cases of officer misconduct.
Additional facets of the deal involve improvements in the investigation timelines for alleged misconduct and eliminating administrative hurdles that impede these processes. The deal also expands the city's civilian workforce, with roles ranging from addressing property-related issues, and noise complaints, to performing wellness checks and guarding hospital-bound low-level offenders. Notably, traffic safety camera violations are now subject to civilian review — another stride towards civilian diversification.
Yet, the deal covers only the initial three years of what could be a four-year contract. With 2024's negotiations still in flux, the city presses on with a mediator appointed from the Public Employment Relations Commission. Councilmember Bob Kettle, chair of the Council's Public Safety Committee, highlighted the need for competitive wages to amass the required number of officers, asserting, "This contract ensures that the City will be paying our officers a competitive wage within the state of Washington, particularly our three-county area.", which is long overdue. Councilmember Dan Strauss underscored the city's ongoing commitment to reform and the importance of hiring top-tier officers in the region.
While Seattle's police policy and accountability are considered progressive compared to regional counterparts, there is wide acknowledgment of the work that remains., as the city endeavours to refine its approach to accountability and the integration of civilians into its public safety framework. As discussions for 2024 continue, Seattle anticipates further enhancements to its police department's operational and ethical standards.
