City of Seattle Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor

NEWS ADVISORY
SUBJECT:   Strengthening Neighborhood-Based Police Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    9/18/2002  10:55:00 AM	FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of the Mayor  (206) 684-4000

Strengthening Neighborhood-Based Police Services

Seattle - Mayor Greg Nickels today announced his 2003-2004 budget would reorganize and refocus the Seattle Police Department so that decisions – and the accountability for them – will be made largely at the precinct level.

The mayor said the decentralizing of police operations would produce immediate benefits by strengthening and supporting basic police services where they are most important: in Seattle’s neighborhoods. The Police Department currently separates the City into four geographically based precincts. Next year, a fifth precinct will begin operations in the southwest section of the City.

"Tough times – and there is no question that these are among the toughest our City has faced in recent history," Nickels said, "provide us an opportunity to look closely at everything we do and ask if we can do it differently and get the same or better results. We’re finding that we can. This police department reorganization would be a good move even if the economy were roaring and we didn’t have to count pennies. Bringing responsibility and accountability closer to the people is exactly what government should do."

The mayor said his budget would reallocate resources to neighborhood-based police services. "It shifts both decision-making from headquarters to precinct captains, who would be more like ‘chiefs of police’ for their precincts. As a result, precinct captains would be more accountable to the people who live and work within their precinct."

Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske said the new structure would bring additional resources to the neighborhoods and provide greater flexibility in managing public safety.

"This model substantially increases resources at the precinct level," Kerlikowske said. "This is a proven approach that focuses on basic, essential public safety services and moves responsibility closer to the people being served."

At the core of the reorganization is the redeployment of officers. Long-missing Community Police Team sergeants will be restored to each precinct. These officers are charged with working directly with neighborhoods to solve long-term problems. In addition, detectives will be reassigned from headquarters to the precincts, where they will report directly to the precinct captain.

The mayor’s police budget, which reflects the 4 percent cut announced earlier, also would restore Crime Prevention Coordinators to each precinct. These positions faced elimination this year in the first round of budget cuts. Crime Prevention and Preparedness Coordinators work directly with residents on how to prevent crime and protect property, as well as lead on disaster preparedness.

"Public safety is my first priority and my responsibility to Seattle's residents is a sacred trust," Nickels said. "Public safety is a partnership with the people of Seattle. That's why this budget shifts resources to neighborhood-based police services." 

The mayor said other city resources, such as the Parks and Recreation Department and the Department of Neighborhoods, would support SPD in expanded community partnerships.  

This move to an organizational model focused on patrol deployment is supported by recommendations made in a management study.

"This is the right direction for the department, and the right direction for the men and women in the police department who deserve our thanks and respect," Nickels said.

Mayor Greg Nickels understands protecting the public is his job and from the day he took office, he pledged to work everyday to ensure our city is safe. The mayor views public safety as the most important basic service a city can provide. Current economic conditions demand the Seattle Police Department (SPD) operate leaner and more efficiently.

The mayor will not allow budget problems to get in the way of improving public safety and accountability. The mayor’s 2003-2004 budget will make smart choices and strengthen basic city services, particularly public safety. SPD will move to an organizational model that places neighborhood-based police services at its core and allows the department the greatest flexibility in managing public safety.

The Seattle Police Department has a clear and straightforward mission that touches each and every one of Seattle’s residents:

• prevent crime;
• enforce laws; and
• support public safety.

SPD currently operates within a framework that divides the city into four geographical areas called "precincts." These precincts define north, south, east and west patrol areas, with a police station currently in each. A new station, being built in Southwest Seattle, opens for service in 2003. Over the years, the Seattle Police Department has increased its number of specialized units at the expense of resources in the precincts.

• Precinct captains, will be more accountable to the people who work and reside within each precinct. They will be the "chief of police" in their areas of responsibility. They will hold quarterly public meetings to fully understand what these needs are. The first quarterly meeting will take place on October 29.
• The "long missing" Community Police Team Sergeants will be restored to each precinct. This is the person who will coordinate with the neighborhoods to solve long term problems.
• Detectives who reported to Headquarters will now answer to the Precinct Captain so that a close linkage will be developed between the neighborhoods and the solving of crimes.
• The mayor has restored funding for Crime Prevention and Preparedness Coordinators. Coordinators will be assigned to each Precinct to provide information and training on not only how to prevent crime and protect property but also train citizens and businesses in disaster preparedness.
• Specialty squads in gangs, vice and narcotics will be streamlined with officers transferred to the precincts to enhance neighborhood-based 911 response and proactive enforcement efforts of the Anti Crime Teams. This will provide more resources directly to the precincts.
• The mayor has also directed other city resources, such as Parks and Recreation and the Department of Neighborhoods, to support SPD in expanded community partnerships.

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Mayor’s Office

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