City Council Expedites Police Recruitment Process and Requires Steps To Change SPD Culture

by Lauryn Bray

The City Council unanimously approved legislation Tuesday, May 21, CB 120766, to expedite police recruitment by transferring positions from Seattle Department of Human Resources (SDHR) to Seattle Police Department (SPD), allowing for the development of a streamlined recruitment and retention program.

In addition, an amendment to the legislation, introduced by Councilmember Tammy Morales, D-2, South Seattle, requires SPD to report efforts they are taking to change the department's culture, referred to as a "boys' club" by some former officers.

The bill, sponsored by Council President Sara Nelson and Councilmember Bob Kettle, is the latest step the City has taken toward increasing the number of officers employed at SPD.

According to a staff memo, the City has failed to meet its hiring targets for the last two years despite offering hiring bonuses and a beefed-up recruitment process. It noted a national shortage of police recruits and the possibility they would have hired fewer officers absent the extra efforts.

Several council members commented on the legislation, pushing back against concern that its provisions would weaken SPD's eligibility standards.

"I want to make clear that this is not about lowering our standards. This legislation is about maintaining, if not improving, the standards of the people that we are recruiting and bringing on to this force," said Nelson. "It's about removing barriers and improving processes so we can choose the best from a small pool of candidates who are applying to many agencies in the region, and to make offers to people who reflect the values of our community."

Councilmember Rob Saka reiterated this when he addressed the council. "I think it's manifestly misleading to say that this bill is going to lower standards. In contrast, this bill elevates standards … especially when looked at holistically," he said. "Some of these really important, impactful … requirements that we're adding, [are] because we need to make sure that we're not just making sure we allow people to more efficiently get in the door, but we [also] need to retain the good officers that we do have, including the women."

Issues of police culture and accountability have been raised during the recent City approval of a new police union contract and high-profile cases including callous comments made in the death of a Northeastern University student struck and killed by a police car and potential suits brought by women police officers. A Seattle Police captain sued Chief Adrian Diaz alleging discrimination and sexism, which Diaz denies, according to a KUOW story this week.

"Given that officers are suing SPD on what feels like a weekly basis these days with numerous sworn officers alleging sexism, racism, and segregation in the department, Council must provide additional oversight to ensure that workers are protected and to ensure that steps are being taken to change the culture of the department," Morales said before voting.

Prior to voting on the bill, the council approved amendments sponsored by Morales and Saka that passed in the Governance, Accountability, and Economic Development Committee on May 9. The amendments require SPD to address its alleged culture of sexual discrimination and harassment by requiring the department to regularly report steps it has taken to address gender discrimination.

"We know that SPD has to create a safe work environment for all workers in the department and [both] the original amendment and the new edition require more specific detailed reporting on SPD's effort to implement the 3030 Initiative, which serves to increase representation of women in law enforcement," said Morales. The 3030 Initiative is the City's goal to have women make up 30% of SPD's workforce by 2030.

The council also amended the bill to add childcare provisions requiring that SPD show organizational support for women employees as it relates to maternity and family leave as well as childcare and scheduling flexibility for caretaker responsibilities.

With a unanimous vote, the amendment passed. In addition to imposing regulations for monitoring compliance with the 3030 Initiative and scheduling flexibility for childcare, the legislation also mandates that SPD provide women employees with equitable access to promotions, specialty assignments, and professional development, requiring that the department address negative attitudes toward women in leadership roles.

📸 Featured Image: A patrol car in front of the Seattle Police Department West Precinct in 2020. Photo via VDB Photos/Shutterstock.com