Record No: CB 119468    Version: Council Bill No: CB 119468
Type: Ordinance (Ord) Status: Passed
Current Controlling Legislative Body City Clerk
On agenda: 3/4/2019
Ordinance No: Ord 125784
Title: AN ORDINANCE relating to the Seattle Police Department; creating an incentive program for hiring police officers; and repealing obsolete Sections 4.20.530, 4.20.540, and 4.20.550 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
Sponsors: M. Lorena González
Supporting documents: 1. Summary and Fiscal Note, 2. Proposed Amendment 1 (added; 2/27/19), 3. Proposed Substitute, 4. Signed Ordinance 125784, 5. Affidavit of Publication
CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
title
AN ORDINANCE relating to the Seattle Police Department; creating an incentive program for hiring police officers; and repealing obsolete Sections 4.20.530, 4.20.540, and 4.20.550 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, the Seattle Police Department strives to maintain a highly qualified, diverse, and engaged police service to meet the complex demands of the Seattle communities; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Police Department has successfully increased the hiring of people of color from 22 percent in 2014 to 36 percent in 2018; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle and the Seattle Police Department have recognized the need to hire additional officers responsibly and quickly to meet community expectations; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Police Department has seen an increase in competition for qualified applicants for the position of police officer due, in part, to regional and national hiring incentives at law enforcement agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Police Department has seen a significant decrease in the number of police officer applications since 2016; and
WHEREAS, Sections 4.20.530, 4.20.540, and 4.20.550 of the Seattle Municipal Code are obsolete; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Seattle Police Department may offer police officers candidates a hiring incentive of up to $15,000, to be paid after beginning employment with The City of Seattle.
A. Incentives provided to lateral police officer hires shall not exceed $15,000 per hire. Incentives provided to new recruit hires shall be provided one time and shall not exceed $7,500 per hire. If an employee who has received this incentive leaves the department, that person may not receive an incentive to return.
B. The Seattle Police Department and the City Budget Office Innovation and Performance Team shall conduct a review of the City's use of hiring incentives authorized i...

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