Approval reflects monumental, nation-leading step forward in diversified public safety response
Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed a new contract with rank-and-file Seattle police officers that will allow for the permanent expansion and direct dispatch of the CARE department’s crisis responder teams, marking a significant milestone for efforts to diversify emergency response options. The contract was approved by the City Council on Tuesday.
The contract, negotiated under Mayor Harrell’s leadership and ratified by the Seattle Police Officers Guild, also improves accountability with civilian investigators, streamlines the disciplinary process, and builds on positive police recruitment trends with new language and education incentives.
“The CARE Department’s crisis responder teams are essential to Seattle’s comprehensive approach to public safety, ensuring residents get the right response at the right time,” said Mayor Harrell. “Building an effective, evidence-based, and data-driven third public safety department has been a priority for my administration, and this contract unlocks CARE’s potential to respond with compassionate care and services to those in need. I’m thankful for our City Council partners for supporting this agreement that will continue to diversify emergency response options and build a police department that represents our highest values as a city.”
The CARE Department’s crisis responder teams launched as a dual dispatch pilot program in October 2023 with six responders and a focus on Downtown and the Chinatown-International District. The program has steadily grown since then, expanding citywide in spring 2025 and hiring a total of 24 responders and three supervisors.
The 2026 budget includes $9.5 million to double the number of CARE Community Crisis Responders with 24 new positions as well as supervisors, a new training manager, and additional equipment.
“I want to thank everyone involved in negotiating the new SPOG contract we passed today. This agreement will help further our public safety goals and go a long way towards developing future leaders in the police department,” said Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7). “The revival of the Frontline Investigations process represents a major stride towards furthering our accountability goals and setting up the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) for success.”
Key elements of the contract include:
- CARE Expansion: Removes limitations on CARE Community Crisis Responder (CCR) staffing, which was previously capped at 24, expands the types of incidents CCRs can be dispatched to, and authorizes CCRs to be solo dispatched to low-acuity 9-1-1 calls.
- Discipline Timeline Calculation: Aligns contract language for how disciplinary process timelines are calculated and tracked with the 2017 Accountability Ordinance, addressing a key priority for accountability entities, the federal monitor, and U.S. District Court Judge James Robart.
- Investigation Improvements: Establishes a process within SPD to ensure supervisors are responsible for and able to address minor performance and misconduct issues in a timely and effective manner. Empowers the Office of Police Accountability to assign civilian investigators as co-lead investigators on cases involving potential termination.
- Staffing and Recruiting: Updates wages and benefits to ensure Seattle remains competitive in hiring new officers among West Coast states, an area of the country where 78% of SPD applicants come from. Builds on positive recruitment trends and incentivizes bachelor’s and associate degrees and language proficiency. Increases civilianization within SPD’s backgrounding and recruiting unit.
This contract updates the one previously reached in 2024 and will be in effect through December 31, 2027.