Seattle Police Department Interim Chief Andre Sayles has indicated his approval of the city’s decision to end the bonus usually offered to officers transferring from another law enforcement agency. This bonus used to go up to $50,000.
The Seattle Police Officers Guild opposed the city’s decision. Its president, Kent Loux, expressed his opposition and argued that dropping the bonuses would cause a reduction in the number of people who would want to join the police force.
He noted that there are other nearby law enforcement agencies that have continued to increase their incentives; therefore, the city’s decision to cut bonuses would give other law enforcement agencies an advantage over the SPD.
This claim has been rejected by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, who argued that recruitment isn’t the problem. She pointed out that many people are willing to join the SPD, but the actual challenge lies in getting the new recruits trained.
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