Seattle City Council moves to officially abandon police defunding efforts as Resolution 32167 acknowledges the failures of past promises to slash police budgets.
Key Takeaways
- Seattle Council member Rob Saka’s Resolution 32167 reverses previous commitments to defund the police department by 50%.
- The resolution acknowledges that police defunding pledges contributed to significant officer departures and divisiveness in the community.
- Seattle has already begun rebuilding its police force, with Mayor Harrell reporting the city hired more officers than it lost last year for the first time in years.
- The initiative represents a partnership between the City Council and Mayor’s office to focus on a “future-focused public safety model.”
- Despite the shift, Seattle maintains alternative response programs like CARE Crisis Response Teams with a $30 million budget (compared to SPD’s nearly $400 million).
A Dramatic Shift in Seattle’s Policing Strategy
Seattle’s approach to policing has come full circle as City Councilmember Rob Saka introduced Resolution 32167, effectively acknowledging the failure of the “defund the police” movement that gained momentum following George Floyd’s murder in 2020. The resolution, which received initial committee support from four council members with no opposition, reverses previous council commitments to slash police funding and instead emphasizes support for first responders while maintaining accountability measures. This marks a significant policy reversal for a city that became a focal point of the national defunding debate.
The resolution explicitly addresses the negative impact previous defunding pledges had on police retention. “This resolution reverses any prior commitment or pledge by past councils to defund or abolish the police. We know that these statements were routinely cited by departing police personnel as a reason for leaving. We also know that they are very divisive,” said Councilmember Rob Saka, the resolution’s primary sponsor.
From Defunding Promises to Police Rebuilding
In July 2020, amid nationwide protests, the Seattle City Council initially backed a proposal to defund the police department by 50%. The council later approved reducing the police department by about 100 officers through layoffs and attrition. By October 2020, the impact was already evident with 134 officers having left the force, including 23 departures in a single month. The exodus created significant staffing challenges that the city is still working to overcome.
“Amid violent, nationwide uprisings and protests against police officers, Democrat Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan’s office stated that 134 officers have left the city’s police force as of October 31. Last month alone, 23 officers left their positions at the department” – Source
Current efforts to rebuild the force are showing modest success. Seattle Police Department, under interim Chief Shon Barnes, is focused on recruitment and retention with the goal of having over 1,000 officers by 2026. The department made 84 successful hires in 2024, slightly reversing the ongoing attrition trend. A new contract increasing police pay by 23% has also helped address recruitment challenges. Mayor Bruce Harrell noted progress, stating: “We hired more police officers last year than we lost for the first time in years, and applications are soaring.”
A Balanced Approach to Public Safety
While Resolution 32167 represents a clear pivot away from defunding rhetoric, it maintains a commitment to police accountability and alternative response models. The resolution includes provisions for appreciating first responders, ensuring police accountability, developing a diversified public safety response, and resolving issues under the federal Consent Decree that was lifted in 2023 after 12 years of oversight. Seattle has already expanded its Fire Department’s capabilities and launched the CARE Crisis Response Teams with a $30 million budget, compared to SPD’s nearly $400 million allocation.
“This is finally the time to acknowledge the lessons of the past and pivot decisively toward a better, future-focused public safety model. We are committed to making everyone in our community feel safe and to enhancing our accountability system” – Source
Mayor Bruce Harrell has voiced strong support for the resolution. “I join the City Council in celebrating the dedication and hard work of our public safety professionals and in recognizing the importance of a diversified emergency response system,” the mayor said. “I look forward to working with our police department, accountability partners, and Council members as we move to finalize requirements under the consent decree.” The resolution will now advance to the full city council for consideration, marking what appears to be the beginning of a new era in Seattle’s approach to public safety.
Sources:
- Democrat Seattle Council Member’s Resolution Aims to Reverse Commitments to ‘Defund the Police’
- Seattle City Council resolution would acknowledge ‘failure of defund movement’
- Seattle city councilmember introduces resolution to acknowledge ‘failure’ of defund the police movement
