Seattle’s police department is projected to have 1,102 deployable officers by the end of 2028, below the 1,281 deployable officers recorded in 2019, according to budget analysts who briefed the City Council on Oct. 15.
Mayor Katie Wilson’s proposed 2027 and 2028 budgets would increase funding for the Seattle Police Department (SPD) to support 1,250 funded positions. However, the plan projects no net staffing growth in 2028 as new hires are expected to equal departures. The department had approximately 971 deployable officers at the time of the report.
SPD lost 326 officers on a net basis between 2020 and 2022, when 516 officers left and 190 were hired. Officials cite recruitment, training delays, and retention as continuing challenges. The department’s training process can take more than a year, and approximately 20 officers were awaiting trainers, according to budget staff.
The proposed 2027 budget would increase SPD funding by $68 million to $556.5 million. About $56 million of the increase would cover contractual salary obligations, while $12 million would support the planned net addition of 43 officers over two years. The proposal anticipates 128 hires and 85 departures in 2027, followed by 79 hires and 79 departures in 2028.
The plan has prompted differing views among council members. Some have called for a larger police force, while others note that the proposed budget increases department funding and that staffing could continue to grow as recruits complete training. Police union representatives have said the city should aim for at least 1,400 full-time officers.
SPD also recently eliminated hiring incentives that had offered recruits up to $75,000 and experienced lateral hires up to $50,000, along with potential moving expense reimbursements.
Public safety remains a concern for Seattle businesses and residents. A Seattle Metro Chamber report cited in the article found that 75% of surveyed respondents lacked confidence in the city’s public safety plan.
The city is conducting a staffing analysis expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Its findings could inform future staffing and budget decisions.
