“I do not believe we should ask the people of Seattle to test out a theory that crime goes away if police go away. That is completely reckless,” said Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best. City Council has advocated her department’s budget be cut 50 percent.

Chief Best’s Message to Officers on Potential Cuts to Police Budget

Written byPublic Affairson July 10, 2020 4:52 pm

Chief Best sent a message to officers to convey the financial outlook of the City and address any future cuts that may happen within SPD.  

While no decisions have been made yet, we wanted the community to be aware of the  situation. Laying off 50% of the department would be catastrophic for public safety in the city of Seattle. 

The Department has made a conscious effort to hire employees, both sworn and civilian, who represent the diversity and values within our community. 

Cuts this deep mean we would lose more than 50% of our Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) officers. These officers’ life experiences make us a better department and community. 

It is clear the City of Seattle demands changes to its police department, but these budget cuts will come with drastic and lasting impacts to community safety.   

We have included the video released to officers earlier today, a letter illustrating how these changes will effect the city sent to Mayor Durkin, and graphics that show how any cuts will effect diversity within SPD.

Seattle Councilwoman Kshama Sawan is leading the pack on supporting protestors and demonstrators and promoting the anti police agenda.

The avowed Socialist is confronting Mayor Durkan, who had asked for Sawan’s removal:  

Mayor Durkan, Sawan said, was attacking working people’s movements and everything they fight for.

“It is stunning that Mayor Durkan has continued to use brutal police violence despite the widespread and decisive opposition from her constituents, and in the face of calls from over 47,000 people for her to resign.” SEATTLE – Councilmember Kshama Sawant (District 3, Central Seattle), chair of the Council’s Sustainability and […]

Supporters of the police include African American Advisory Council and Harriett Walden of Mother’s for Police Accountability for supporting public safety. “We all want effective community safety. We support a balanced police department and need to invite the community to the discussion,” Chief Best said.