Seattle goes from "Defund Police" to approving $50,000 hiring bonuses for police officers

The Seattle City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday afternoon to approve a proposal thatincreases hiring bonuses for lateral police officers to $50,000.

Council president Sara Nelson, who sponsored the increase, said the city's current recruitment efforts were not bringing in enough qualified applicants.

“If we want to have a safer city, it is our duty to adequately staff the police department,"Nelson said at Tuesday's meeting.

The city estimates the Seattle Police Department (SPD) is short between 300 to 350 officers.The current hiring incentive for lateral transfer officers is $30,000, while entry-level officers can receive $7,500.