Seattle Police Department scraps $50K hiring bonuses Sept. 1 as staffing crisis deepens
Aug 27, 2026, 6:17 PM
A Seattle Police Department vehicle. (Photo courtesy of KIRO Newsradio)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO Newsradio)
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) will no longer offer hiring bonuses as of September 1, citing budget concerns — a major shift even as the department struggles to put enough officers on the street.
“A decision has been made to stop the hiring incentives until a time when the budget forecast for the Seattle Police Department is clear,” SPD said in an emailed statement Thursday to KIRO Newsradio. “We have a responsibility to the people of Seattle to provide the best police service while also being fiscally responsible. We will continue to hire some of the highest quality candidates in the country and are dedicated [to] helping keep Seattle a safe and welcoming city.”
Experienced officers were offered up to $50,000 to join SPD. Applicants who are already in the hiring process or submit their application by the end of this month will still receive the hiring incentive.
Only 929 of SPD’s sworn officers can actually respond to a 911 call
While SPD counts 1,197 sworn personnel when recruits, students in field training, and unavailable officers are included, only 929 are actually deployable, according to “The Jason Rantz Show” on Seattle Red 770 AM.
KIRO host Jake Skorheim noted that SPD has made aggressive efforts to recruit, including $50,000 signing bonuses for lateral hires from other agencies, but the numbers aren’t moving.
“When somebody’s sitting on the phone waiting for police to respond to a 911 call, all they care about is how fast can you get here,” Jake said on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “And that number is actually only 929. And that’s not good in a city this size.”
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Neighboring departments poaching SPD talent
KIRO host Spike O’Neill said nearby departments are poaching SPD talent. He argued that the problem is compounded by surrounding communities offering better working environments, lower costs of living, and leadership stability.
“Other communities around the area, whether it’s Federal Way or Pierce County or wherever else, Bellevue, are also poaching these officers from SPD,” Spike said. “Those are communities that appreciate the police department.”
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
