33% Of Seattle Police Officers Have Not Submitted Vax Proof: SPD

SEATTLE — The Seattle Police Department has received proof of vaccination from just 67 percent of its sworn officers, despite a plea from the city's police chief to submit documentation no later than Tuesday. In a brief update published early Tuesday evening, SPD shared its COVID-19 vaccination rates among sworn and civilian employees, finding 354 officers had yet to confirm their immunizations.

On Friday, interim police chief Adrian Diaz asked his staff to "get it done" to avoid potential staffing disruptions when Seattle's Oct. 18 deadline for city employees to reach full vaccination status arrives.

According to SPD's tally, only 6 percent of its civilian staff failed to provide immunization status by Tuesday, compared with 33 percent of its sworn officers. The largest contingent missing from the numbers was within the patrol operations bureau, where vaccination records for 237 officers are unaccounted for.

While Monday was the last day to get the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson, in time to reach full vaccination status by Oct. 18, officers still have until that deadline to confirm their immunizations.

Seattle reached labor agreements with the majority of its labor unions last month, securing added incentives and allowing employees to take leave in lieu of termination to reach full vaccination status after the deadline. However, negotiations with the Seattle Police Officers Guild are still ongoing.