No one talking about Seatle pd?

[Floridaboy]

Got a friend who wanted some info on them, surprised theres no topics...

[savage4presiden]

I'm only in the background phase of the hiring process, but I'm sure I can answer some questions.

[caely02ethan04]

No to bash SPD but I work with SPD officers every day. Seems to me like they have major morale problems over there.

[christuan]

No to bash SPD but I work with SPD officers every day. Seems to me like they have major morale problems over there.

That's an interesting perspective.

[Bearcat357]

No to bash SPD but I work with SPD officers every day. Seems to me like they have major morale problems over there.

I know someone that has 15 years on with them and is looking to go elsewhere.......as he has said the same thing.........

[finfanfromcsu]

I hate to beat the dead horse but I heard of the morale problems as well. It appears that they are roughly 200 officers short from where they should be to be at full strength.

The SPD that I see are pretty cool, but they will tell you straight up that the morale sucks, but it is getting better.

[cgh6366]

Morae sucks

Several people are hitting the nail on the head. SPD is currently #11 (I think) for pay in the state. The Command Staff is incredibly out of touch with the guy on the street. Finfan is right – woefully understaffed. You work in the USSR (United Seattle Socialist Republic) in the ultimate PC world that orders its officers to arrest women bearing their breasts during Mardis Gras, but issues annual permits to the World Naked Bike Ride. If you want more info, PM me.

[tanikir]

Having to buy your own uniforms was a big turnoff for me.

[Nate_07]

that will be changing very soon from what i hear.

[cgh6366]

It has already changed

I'm not sure of the exact amount, I think it is $1,250 or $1,500, being given to new hires to buy their equipment.

[Floridaboy]

1)What kind of firearms are used?

2)Hows the pursuit policy?

3)Tasers?

4)How is the crime in general? I understand its hard to give a basic idea of crime, but is it comparable to your average big city? Fair ammount of bad areas and such?

[savage4presiden]

1) Glock model 22 and 23 are department issued

2) Strongly discouraged. Pursuits only allowed when the person fleeing presents a greater risk to the public than the actual pursuit would.

3) Tazers are allowed.

4) Not too sure on this one, but I know from reading the local papers that property crime rate is more of a problem than violent crime.

[Oregon Mike]

When I lived there, it didn't seem to have many bad neighborhoods. The worst I saw was south Seattle, down near Boeing Field. And it's really not that bad. I've seen much worse back east.

[cgh6366]

1) Glock model 22 and 23 are department issued

2) Strongly discouraged. Pursuits only allowed when the person fleeing presents a greater risk to the public than the actual pursuit would.

3) Tazers are allowed.

4) Not too sure on this one, but I know from reading the local papers that property crime rate is more of a problem than violent crime.

Pursuits - Just say No. Unless someone is dead, or kidnapped and in the car - forget it. As soon as you say the P word, you get the third degree about everything while you are trying to catch up. Eventually it will be terminated.

Tasers are huge here - We have one of their Master Instructors working the street and several others that have worked with the company since the Taser revolution.

As far as crime - lots of street level drugs. You could go every day and make 3-4 drug arrests. Auto theft and car prowls are way up. In general, property crime is the big deal. Although the mayor denies it, we do have a gang problem. Not LA style, but significant enough. Getting a CCW in WA is easier than getting a driver's license, so lots of guns, lots of gun thefts (idiots leaving them in their car - http://www.officer.com/article/artic...&siteSection=1)

There are your typical high crime areas and sleepy hollows - just like every other major city.

[ThursCo]

Yeah, that always makes me nervous. Under the CPL though we can't carry in certain places and the only option is to lock them in our cars. I've been trying to convince our work to have lockboxes available for CPL holders but they want nothing of it. I guess I'm glad I'm not in Seattle at this point.