The Seattle Police Department has added 60 new police officers this year but it still has 260 openings after many officer retired or left since 2020.

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes and Mayor Bruce Harrell say SPD officer recruitment is finally improving. The City has struggled for the past several years to recruit new officers, but now it appears the tide is turning “Today we’re here to celebrate progress,

Seattle police have hired six times more officers this year compared with the same period in 2024, putting the department on pace to restore its depleted ranks, city officials said. Why it matters: Seattle has struggled to recruit and retain police officers over the last few years despite signing bonuses of $7,