'Deep Dive' On Seattle's Police Budget Begins At City Council

SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle City Council began a thorough review of the police department's budget Wednesday, marking the first steps in a full inquest promised during a public meeting earlier this week.

Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, the council's budget chair, publicly supports a 50 percent defunding of the department — redirecting funds to community health and safety programs — echoing demands from protest organizers and activists seeking a complete overhaul of policing in Seattle.

Councilmember Kshama Sawant also favors cutting SPD's $409 million budget in half, and all councilmembers have spoken in favor of redirecting the department's funds to some degree.

On Wednesday, the council welcomed representatives from the city's budget office and the police department to begin a lengthy review of current spending levels.

"We're not alone in our overinvestment in policing as we know it currently," Mosqueda said. "We're also not alone in asking for a real, fundamental change in how we do policing in this city."

Councilmember Lisa Herbold, chair of the public safety committee, referenced data showing approximately $115 billion spent on police across the nation — a number surpassing the military budgets of many nations.

2020 Budget Breakdown: Seattle Police Department

Greg Doss, a member of the central staff, walked councilmembers through a host of data compiled over just a few days. More specific details are expected in the weeks to come.

Doss noted staff pay and overtime costs make up a combined 82 percent of the department's total budget. The largest chunk of non-personnel spending is from "interfund charges," for maintaining things like vehicle fleets and IT services.

A breakdown of staffing shows the department's 668 patrol officers account for more than $100 million in compensation, including benefits, followed by detectives and patrol sergeants.

Police department accounting shows about $30 million earmarked for overtime. The largest single source is from sworn officers managing special events, which results in more than $6.8 million in overtime pay. Staffing sports costs another $3.4 million. Doss said the city receives some reimbursement from event organizers and more from sports teams. Exact percentages were not immediately available.

2020 hiring levels, staffing changes

According to Doss, the department hired 40 recruits and two lateral officers through April. Over the same time, just 17 officers left the department, which Doss believes is a result of the recession. SPD has frozen hiring more recruits, both due to a lack of available staffing funds and for "practical" reasons, like the COVID-19 pandemic preventing the usual testing, Doss said.

Under the current budget, hiring could resume in the fall if more officers retire or leave the department.

Estimated costs for protective gear, 'less-lethal' weapons

City staff estimates the cost for new protective gear this year above $67,000, including things like Kevlar helmets, batons and various protective padding.

Crowd control devices, like tear gas, pepper spray, flashbangs and other "less-lethal weapons," were estimated at more than $31,000 for the year.

An effort to ban all such weapons, championed by Councilmember Sawant, is scheduled for a vote Monday, June 15.

Councilmembers have asked for a detailed accounting of costs incurred by the police response to recent protests, including overtime pay and inventory. The central staff said those numbers should be available after the payroll period concludes.

Wednesday's budget hearing was just the first step in the inquest, and further meetings are scheduled weekly through next month. Mosqueda said the council would use the overview provided today to move forward with discussions on reducing the police budget and look at how other cities are transitioning to more community-based models later this month.

Related: OPA Launches 2 Probes Into Weekend Protest Response