The Seattle Police Department is calling on community members to help train its newest recruits through the Before the Badge (BTB) Community-Police Dialogues. These upcoming discussions are a foundational element of the SPD’s Before the Badge training program, a mandatory curriculum that all new recruits must complete prior to entering the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
The program is designed to provide a platform for residents to engage directly with recruits before they begin their formal police academy training. The primary goal of these dialogues is to allow the public to share exactly what they would like to see in new officers and to help recruits gain a firsthand understanding of community concerns at the precinct and neighborhood levels.
BEFORE THE BADGE COMMUNITY POLICE DIALOGUES
- January 5, 2026 | 5:30-7:30pm
- February 2, 2026 | 5:30-7:30pm
- March 2, 2026 | 5:30-7:30pm
- April 6, 2026 | 5:30-7:30pm
- September 14, 2026 | 5:30 - 7:30pm
- October 5, 2026 1 5:30 - 7:30pm
- November 2, 2026 | 5:30-7:30pm
- December 7, 2026 | 5:30-7:30pm
These dialogues are not isolated events; they are formally integrated into the Seattle Police Department's Micro-Community Policing Plans (MCPP). By involving the public at this early stage, the department aims to ensure that new officers are grounded in the specific needs and expectations of the neighborhoods they will eventually serve.
Community members who wish to have their voices heard and participate in the training of the city's future police force are encouraged to sign up for the upcoming dialogue sessions.
