Sara on Public Safety: the “Yes/And” Approach
Council President Sara Nelson issued the following statement on the police union contract approved Sunday:
"I take a yes/and approach to public safety. Yes to enforcing the law AND providing services AND holding officers accountable. Yes to fully staffed police response for violent crime AND trained crisis responders AND treatment programs that address the root causes of crime.
My opponent? She's running on a no/who knows? platform. No to hiring bonuses when we're down 400 officers. No to disrupting open-air drug and sex trafficking markets. No to technology that prevents crime and solves cases. So what's her plan for public safety? Who knows? Because she hasn't told us.
This contract is proof that the yes/and approach works. It delivers real accountability reforms while ensuring we can recruit and retain officers. It empowers the Office of Police Accountability to assign civilian investigators as co-lead investigators on cases involving potential termination. It aligns our disciplinary process with the 2017 Accountability Ordinance. And it creates incentives for language skills and education so our department better reflects Seattle's diversity.
For too long, Seattle has been stuck in political debates instead of delivering results. Seattleites are done with saying no to common-sense solutions. They want safety, compassion, and accountability. This contract proves what happens when we stop posturing and start solving problems.
Learn more about key elements of the contract:
CARE – Removes any limitations on CARE Community Crisis Responder (CCR) staffing, which was previously capped at 24, expands the types of incidents CCRs can be dispatched to, and authorizes CCRs to be solo dispatched to low-acuity 9-1-1 calls.
Accountability – Aligns contract language for how disciplinary process timelines are calculated and tracked with the 2017 Accountability Ordinance, addressing a key priority for accountability entities, the federal monitor, and U.S. District Court Judge James Robart.
Investigation Improvements – Establishes a process within SPD to ensure supervisors are responsible for and able to address minor performance and misconduct issues in a timely and effective manner. Empowers the Office of Police Accountability to assign civilian investigators as co-lead investigators on cases involving potential termination.
Staffing and Recruiting – Updates wages and benefits to ensure Seattle remains competitive in hiring new officers among West Coast states, an area of the country where 78% of SPD applicants come from. and build on positive recruitment trends and incentivize college and associate degrees and language proficiency. Increase civilianization within SPD’s backgrounding and recruiting unit.
