FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 27, 2024
Spokane Valley, WA – At tonight’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting, Councilmembers unanimously approved hiring 10 additional dedicated police officers and a civilian analyst. The Council also ratified the addition of a previously hired lieutenant in the Office of Professional Standards, which is shared with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
The City will initially fund the new positions, estimated at $2.125 million annually and $624,000 of one-time costs, by reprioritizing existing city funds made available from the city’s recently enacted vehicle license fees.
“The safety and well-being of our community is the Council’s number one priority,” said Mayor Pam Haley. “Now is the time to take action and ensure that our Police Department has the resources to protect our community. I’m proud of the Council’s collaboration and support on this issue tonight.”
Deputy Mayor Tim Hattenburg, who serves on the city’s Public Safety Committee, expressed his gratitude and excitement in response to the Council’s decision. "I'm proud of our Public Safety Committee members who have been working diligently towards a creative solution to present to the full Council for consideration. Tonight's decision marks the beginning of a new phase, where we will immediately begin hiring new officers. However, we still have a long way to go, and I urge all community members to join us in this conversation and help us plan for the next phase as we consider how to fund the additional officers needed to meet the current demands to keep our community safe."
The City of Spokane Valley contracts for law enforcement services provided by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. While the city’s population has increased steadily since its incorporation 20 years ago, police staffing levels have not kept pace with this growth.
In 2023, the City hired Matrix Consulting Group Ltd. (Matrix) to conduct an extensive review of the Spokane Valley Police Department’s needs, operations and staffing levels, including the calls for service, responses to calls for service, caseload for investigative units and operational delivery. The Matrix final report provided data-driven recommendations for additional staffing and operational changes to meet the current demands placed on police in Spokane Valley. The recommendation includes hiring 25 new dedicated police positions, three positions shared with the County and two civilian positions.
As Councilmembers continue to work towards implementing the remaining recommendations, community members are encouraged to get involved and help identify desired staffing levels and revenue sources. The City will host several opportunities beginning in late March to learn more about this project, ask questions and provide input. The City will release a schedule of events in early March.
More information about this project is available at www.SpokaneValleyWA.gov/911. To learn more about becoming a Spokane Valley Police Department police officer, email recruiting@SpokaneSheriff.org or visit SpokaneSheriff.info.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Members of the City of Spokane Valley Public Safety Committee and staff will be available to answer questions from the media from 11 – 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, at Spokane Valley City Hall (10210 E. Sprague Avenue). Participants will include Deputy Mayor Tim Hattenburg, Councilmember Ben Wick, Assistant Police Chief Sean Walter and Deputy City Manager Erik Lamb. Please contact PIO Jill Smith to participate.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jill Smith, Communications Manager/PIO
jsmith@SpokaneValleyWA.gov
d: 509-720-5411, c: 509-953-6695
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