Seattle police will stop offering hiring incentives starting Sept. 1 as the department waits for a clearer budget forecast, according to a statement provided by
Seattle police will stop offering hiring incentives starting Sept. 1 as the department waits for a clearer budget forecast, according to a statement provided by the Seattle Police Department.
“A decision has been made to stop the hiring incentives until a time when the budget forecast for the Seattle Police Department is clear,” the agency said. “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.”
The City of Seattle’s adopted 2026 budget provides roughly $462 million to $486 million in operational funding for the Seattle Police Department (SPD).
The department said the change takes effect Sept. 1, but added that anyone currently in the hiring process or who submits an application in August will still receive the incentive.
As per its official hiring portal, the SPD hiring incentives were:
- Entry-Level – $7,500 Hiring Incentive and up to $5000 in reimbursable moving expenses if moving more than 50 miles. For new hires, the 1st half of the incentive is paid upon graduation from the Academy. 2nd half is paid upon completion of probation (1 year).
- Lateral – $50,000 Hiring Incentive and up to $7500 in reimbursable moving expenses if moving more than 50 miles. For laterals, the 1st half is paid on your first paycheck or if you are an out-of-state lateral, then upon completion of the 2-week Equivalency Academy. 2nd half is paid upon completion of probation.
SPD also provided updated hiring and staffing figures. The department said it has hired 108 individuals year to date, compared with 116 during the same time period in 2025.
Officials said 3,583 people have applied this year to be an entry-level officer, and 147 people have applied to lateral to SPD.
The department said 982 people are on the eligibility roster for entry-level positions and 34 are on the roster for lateral officers.
SPD said it currently has 927 deployable officers, defined as “all fully trained sworn employees, excluding those on disability/ extended leave.”
