For the first time in five years, Seattles police department barely hired more officers than it lost

Seattle Police Department achieved a milestone in 2024, hiring 84 officers, surpassing the number of separations for the first time since 2019. Mayor Bruce Harrell highlighted recruitment efforts, including a streamlined testing process and relaxed requirements, which led to over 4,300 applications, the most in a decade. New recruits benefit from a $7,500 hiring bonus and increased salaries, starting at $103,000. The department is also focusing on recruiting women amid ongoing harassment litigation from the previous leadership. Despite these recruitment successes, Seattle faces rising crime rates, including elevated gun violence and slow response times for low-priority 911 calls.

The hiring of Shon Barnes as the new police chief aims to further stabilize the department. Harrell noted that the surge in applications signifies meaningful improvements in a challenging national climate for police recruiting. The city continues to compete regionally for officers as it works to rebuild its police force amid ongoing community concerns about public safety.