Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is pushing to finalize a new police contract with the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG) before the end of the year, creating a crucial political backdrop with the upcoming mayoral election looming.
Harrell expressed optimism about wrapping up negotiations in a press event held on September 3, especially following a key hearing where U.S. District Judge James Robart announced the termination of Seattle’s consent decree.
“I’m very confident here, in a matter of weeks or within this year, we’re going to have another finalized negotiations,” he mentioned.
He emphasized that the SPOG understands the significance of accountability and the growth of the Community Assisted Response & Engagement (CARE) department as they negotiate conditions of employment.
Yet, the timing of these negotiations is critical, as Harrell currently trails his opponent, Katie Wilson, by ten points in the August primary.
While he is not a lame duck yet, the uncertainty of his reelection adds pressure to complete these negotiations effectively, as the new SPOG contract could significantly influence the future of the Seattle Police Department (SPD), the development of alternative crisis response initiatives, and the city’s ongoing budget challenges.
Historically, contract negotiations between the City and SPOG are lengthy.
The latest SPOG contract was approved in May 2024, coming nearly six years after the prior contract was ratified.
The Council had ratified an earlier contract in November 2018, which failed to implement critical accountability measures even after a relevant accountability ordinance was passed.
This lack of accountability led Judge Robart to rule that the City was out of compliance with the consent decree.
Councilmembers Lorena González and Teresa Mosqueda later voiced their regrets over the 2018 contract, while Councilmember Kshama Sawant was the only one to oppose it.
In December 2023, the City and SPOG executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that went into effect temporarily, providing SPD officers with a special event bonus and increased overtime pay.
In exchange, park rangers would assume broader operational duties across the city, and a two-year pilot program for alternative responses would be established under the CARE department.
The MOU allowed CARE responders to operate alongside police, yet limited the types of calls they could respond to.
In various cities where civilian crisis programs succeed, responders are not required to wait for police and can handle more types of emergencies independently.
Moving forward into 2024, the city council ratified a new SPOG contract that awarded police officers a 24% pay increase retroactively for the period spanning 2021-2023.
It also mandated a one-time lump sum payment of $57.1 million in backpay to officers along with an estimated ongoing annual cost increase of $39.2 million.
This contract also included an MOU expanding civilian duties within the SPD.
However, this agreement faced criticism for offering minimal improvements in accountability, continuing to stymie the full enactment of the 2017 Accountability Ordinance.
During a subsequent court hearing, Assistant City Attorney Kerala Cowart argued that the contract was essential due to the staffing shortages within the SPD.
Despite unanimous support from councilmembers, Councilmember Tammy Morales opted against voting for the contract before her resignation.
Strategically, some significant concerns arose from the previous contract with SPOG.
Many believe it conveyed the City’s willingness to grant considerable salary increases without securing sufficient accountability measures, which could erode leverage in future negotiations.
These budgetary challenges become exacerbated as SPD aims to ramp up hiring.
This year, SPD anticipates onboarding 172 new officers, achieving a net increase of 91.
Next year, further hiring of 168 officers is expected, producing an overall net increase of 86 officers.
This influx of nearly 177 officers over two years implies that any increase in salaries negotiated now will burden the City’s budget and consume further resources from the General Fund.
At the same time, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun a campaign to attract SPD officers, appealing to their dedication to public service while contrasting their responsibilities in Seattle.
The agency is offering hiring bonuses and student loan relief to those who decide to join.
It remains uncertain if these incentives will sway officers that might have chosen to remain with the SPD.
The fate of the CARE first responders is also intertwined with these negotiations.
Mayor Harrell has proposed a budget increasing investment in his public safety initiatives made viable by a 0.1% tax, aiming to double the number of CARE first responders in Seattle to a total of 48.
However, without moving away from a dual dispatch model and empowering CARE responders to take on more 911 calls, their operational effectiveness may diminish.
Negotiating a new contract will also provide an invaluable opportunity for the City to enforce accountability measures long sought by advocates.
Such measures might include introducing arbitration for disciplinary actions, changing the evidence standard concerning misconduct, and expanding the scope and authority of the Office of Police Accountability.
Amid these dynamics, Harrell is under increasing pressure to conclude negotiations with SPOG quickly, especially since the current MOU for the CARE pilot program is scheduled to conclude at the end of 2025.
If Harrell can finalize the contract before the upcoming election, it could bolster his campaign by showcasing a significant accomplishment just ahead of voters making their choices.
However, the effectiveness and reception of the details within any new contract could either enhance or hinder his electoral prospects.
Should a new agreement be secured before the election, it would also ensure SPOG’s terms are cemented regardless of the election results.
SPOG may prefer to negotiate with Harrell due to concerns that Wilson would favor a more stringent approach to accountability and expand the CARE department’s responsibilities.
Wilson publicly criticized the previous contract negotiated by Harrell, indicating that it compromised vital accountability safeguards in favor of salary increases for officers.
“With the $57 million in retroactive salary payments and additional $39 million for 2024-2026, we should have gotten more for our money,” she stated on her campaign website.
Harrell’s administration has been cautious about taking SPOG negotiations to interest arbitration due to uncertainty about potential outcomes.
Senior Deputy Mayor Tim Burgess indicated a belief that the City’s chances of achieving favorable arbitration results currently stand at just 50%.
In contrast, Wilson might be more inclined to risk arbitration to prioritize accountability gains.
This perception could potentially lend Harrell leverage to expedite contract negotiations, yet should those discussions extend beyond the election and he succeeds, he may lose influence in securing a swift resolution.
With city council members, many having pledged public safety commitments, likely preferring a new SPOG contract, the timeframe remains uncertain.
It’s important to note that regardless of the negotiations’ timeline, a council vote on the issue will likely occur only after the budget season concludes on November 21.
Should a vote take place in December, the newly elected District 2 councilmember—either frontrunner Eddie Lin or challenger Adonis Ducksworth—will influence the decision.
Council President Sara Nelson and Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck will retain their voting rights through December, regardless of upcoming election outcomes.
In remarks made before Judge Robart about the consent decree closure, Harrell expressed confidence in reaching favorable terms on accountability during the negotiations.
However, SPOG President Mike Solan provided divergent views, suggesting that the City’s continued push for heightened accountability could reflect a financial agenda or ideological bias.
Solan reassured that the SPD is highly accountable compared to other agencies nationally.
“Why is it that they keep on pressing for more of this?” Solan questioned in a podcast segment, suggesting alternative motives behind the pressure for increased accountability.
As the mayoral election approaches, the question looms: Will Harrell fulfill his promise of a new SPOG contract amidst the uncertainties?
The impact of this potential agreement on the public perception of both Harrell’s leadership and police accountability in Seattle remains to be seen.
image source from：theurbanist
