FOLLOWUP: Where those ‘redeployed’ Seattle Police patrol officers will come from

(WSB file photo)

More news released by the city just before the holiday weekend: From SPD Blotter, we learn that the question we and others asked earlier this week has been answered – in part, anyway. When interim Police Chief Adrian Diaz announced that about 100 officers would be redeployed to patrol/911 response, he didn’t offer specifics, though he noted that many would come from “similar” responsibilities – like the Community Police Team and Traffic Enforcement. Later that day, SPD explained it couldn’t offer specifics until all the affected personnel had been notified. Now, that’s been done, so here’s the citywide breakdown:

Precinct CPT [Community Police Team] officers/sergeants – 29
Traffic and TCI [Traffic Collision Investigation] Detectives/officers/sergeants – 21
Precinct Burg/Theft Detectives/sergeants – 20
Community Outreach officers – 2
Crisis Intervention/SHA [Seattle Housing Authority] Liaison officers – 4
Drug Court Detective – 1
DV Unit Detectives – 5
Intelligence Unit Detectives – 5
Narcotics Detectives – 1

In addition to these 88 officers resuming responsibilities in Patrol, the department is also forming the Community Response Group, made up of 100 officers and 10 sergeants whose priority will be to address the increased response times to 911 calls throughout the city.

The announcement did not include any precinct-by-precinct numbers, so we won’t be able to follow up on that until next week. There are five precincts citywide, including the Southwest Precinct in West Seattle (which also handles South Park). Also of note, this reallocation does not resemble the list of units from which the City Council wanted to see cuts, as specified in the budget-rebalancing plan that the mayor vetoed. (Whether the council will vote to override the veto has not yet been announced – it’s not on their agenda for Tuesday, when they meet for the first time following a two-week recess.)

newnative September 5, 2020 (8:48 am)

KIng5 has run a story specifically about the dismantling of the elite DUI unit as part of this reallocation but I don’t see it included in this list. Unless they are part of the traffic unit.

WSB September 5, 2020 (10:38 am)

Most likely. Traffic has included other units over the years, like the Aggressive Driving Response Team, which hasn’t been mentioned in a long time. OTOH there was something interesting last night I’ve never heard before & will be asking about next week – a special patrol trying to prevent street racing – TR

KatHP September 5, 2020 (1:09 pm)

I understand that hard decisions had to be made in order to balance budget, safety, and community needs. That being said, I am so incredibly disappointed that the decision was made to disband SPD’s Elder Crimes Unit, sending two of its three detectives to patrol and having the third absorbed into another unit. The team’s elder crimes advocate was also moved out of SPD to Human Services with no certainty that her body of work will remain focused on older adults.

The decision feels like such a slap in the face. Now more than EVER Elder Abuse & Exploitation needs to be a focus; the COVID pandemic creates a greater degree of isolation for older adults living in their own homes and the criminal behavior of abusers and exploitative people have not abated. Crimes against older adults are already so frequently overlooked, under-reported, and isn’t a “sexy” (forgive the term) story for media outlets to report compared to other stories (but thanks KING-5 for running your story the other day about this unit).

Sorry for the rant. Actually, not sorry. I feel like such an important part of our community’s survivors are being left behind.

Elle Nell September 5, 2020 (4:36 pm)

I completely agree with you Kathp—- it’s SO important to protect our elders… they are too vulnerable.
quest September 5, 2020 (5:35 pm)

Just because the unit was disbanded doesn’t mean elder abuse won’t be investigated. Before being upset the unit was disbanded it would be better to have all the facts first. Did the three detectives even have any specialized training in elder abuse? Three detectives is a tiny unit. How often did other units already step in to handle these cases? How many cases did they even handle? How much time were they doing something else or being paid to sit around?

Elle Nell September 5, 2020 (4:33 pm)

Where’s all the pro police-ers?? You’d think they’d be jumping for joy as scared as they were. Oh maybe it’s just when they can bash the BLM movement and or anyone left of center, do they comment. Not really concerned after all..

Mj September 5, 2020 (10:27 pm)

Elle Nell I would be elated if it was just left of center within the base lines. The hard left, left of the third base line is too far and is out of bounds to many people!

Sorry, comment time is over.