FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2024

Community Invited to Give Input on Police Staffing and Funding

Spokane Valley, WA – The City of Spokane Valley will host several opportunities in April to learn more about the city’s Right-Sizing Police Services project, an effort in response to a recent study recommending additional personnel for the Spokane Valley Police Department. Community members are invited to participate in the conversation to learn more, ask questions and help identify the desired staffing levels and revenue sources for Spokane Valley.

Similar information will be presented at each Community Conversation.

• Open House Format - Stop by any time to learn more and share your thoughts 
  • Tuesday, April 2 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the City Hall lobby before the City Council meeting 
  • Tuesday, April 9 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the CenterPlace 2nd floor lounge – Partnering with the Senior Center 
  • Wednesday, April 17 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Spokane Valley Library – Bring the kids for storytime and cookies with a cop!
• Community Meeting Format – Presentation and Q&A
  • Thursday, April 11 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the CenterPlace Regional Event Center and via Zoom – Partnering with the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce
  • Monday, April 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Centennial Middle School gym

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, with one additional civilian position recommended by staff. 

At the Feb. 27, 2024, Council meeting, City 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. This accounts for 12 of the recommended 31 new positions. The City will initially fund the new 12 positions, estimated at $2.125 million annually and $624,000 of one-time costs, by reprioritizing existing city funds, and seeks community input on the recommendations and how to fund any additional positions. 

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 CONTACT 
Jill Smith, Communications Manager/PIO
jsmith@SpokaneValleyWA.gov
d: 509-720-5411, c: 509-953-6695

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