Information from Seattle Mayor's Office

Mayor Bruce Harrell and the Seattle Police Department (SPD) are proud to announce the hiring of more than 100 new recruits as of July 2025 who are now being trained to become Seattle police officers.

This achievement marks a crucial step in SPD's ongoing commitment to building a well-staffed, proactive police force dedicated to serving the community and reducing victimization. Restoring police staffing is a priority for the Harrell administration, which has led efforts to modernize the recruitment process, reduce application times, and increase marketing efforts to attract and develop a diverse and qualified pool of future officers. 

"Hiring more than 100 new officers so far this year marks a significant milestone in addressing the police staffing crisis our administration inherited. Ensuring public safety requires a well-staffed and highly qualified police department, and we remain committed to recruiting top-tier candidates who reflect our values and our diverse communities," said Mayor Harrell. "With Chief Shon Barnes at the helm, and recent data showing a decline in crime rates, we are making Seattle safer while prioritizing accountability and strengthening trust between our officers and the community. This achievement reflects our ongoing focus on building a police department that operates with professionalism, equity, and a clear commitment to our shared vision of public safety for all.” 

“We are thrilled to welcome more than 100 dedicated recruits from diverse backgrounds, ranging from medics and the military to officers from other departments,” said Chief Shon Barnes. “This is an incredibly talented group, with many speaking at least two languages such as Spanish and Hindi. This is not only a testament to our commitment to rebuilding our department, but also a reflection of the extraordinary leadership shown by individuals involved in recruiting, training, and onboarding."

Before they earn their badge and are deployed across SPD’s five precincts, new officers undergo comprehensive training on a variety of subjects such as cultural competency, interpersonal relationships, defensive driving, and de-escalation techniques. Their training strengthens SPD’s ability to respond to emergencies, investigate crimes, and engage with Seattle’s diverse neighborhoods. This hiring wave reflects the department's renewed focus on recruitment and retention initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of all Seattle residents. 

“We don’t just train people to become Seattle police officers. We invest in them to become leaders, proactive problem-solvers, and a trusted presence in the vibrant and diverse Seattle community,” said Lori Aagard, SPD Assistant Chief who leads training.  

The starting salary for an entry-level SPD officer is $103,000 for entry level recruits and $116,000 for lateral officers. 

SPD is launching a fresh chapter by doubling down on its recruiting efforts and is already breaking barriers. Through innovative recruitment strategies, marketing, compelling content on YouTube, social media engagement, heightened starting salaries, and a renewed focus on diversity. The department also partners with SkillBridge, a program that gives active-duty service members opportunities to gain civilian work experience during their last months of service.  

All police officer candidates must be at least 20.5 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, be generally physically fit, and be able to obtain a Washington State Driver’s License. Click here for the complete list of qualifications, including requirements for lateral and exceptional-entry candidates. 

There are seven steps for entry-level candidates applying to start their law enforcement career. Candidates must apply, complete a written test, take a physical agility test, pass a background investigation, and complete a medical evaluation, and polygraph assessment. The most competitive candidates receive an employment offer and then attend Washington’s the Basic Law Enforcement Academy, which is overseen by the state’s Criminal Justice Training Commission. 

Seattle’s average hiring process for police officer candidates has been streamlined from 5-9 months to 3-5 months, eliminating months of waiting when qualified candidates would often receive offers from other agencies. Through an interdepartmental effort to simplify and update the hiring process, Seattle made changes including electronic background checks, increased examination support leading to a bi-weekly schedule, remote physical agility testing, and enhanced candidate tracking.