City of Seattle, police guild reach tentative agreement boosting officer salaries

SEATTLE, Wash. — After years of waiting, a tentative agreement between the city of Seattle and the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG) could soon be voted on.

The contract which was briefly posted on the website of the SPOG would significantly boost officer salaries. It is seen as a key development to make improvements in police staffing, alternative public safety methods, and compliance with a federal consent decree.

The approximately 900 SPD officers represented by the SPOG have been working without a contract for nearly three years since the previous one lapsed.

MORE I Seattle police guild, city reach tentative agreement on labor contract

Police accountability has been a focal point of contention between the guild and city officials. During a public meeting Tuesday night, community members also echoed concerns over accountability within the department.

While details of the contract are not yet public members of the city's Community Police Commission said one of the key points is a pay raise for officers. Joel Merkel, a co-chair of the city’s Community Police Commission (CPC), said the 23% raise only applies to 2021 through December 31, 2023.

That agreement, Merkel said, must still be ratified, and a date for the union vote has not been publicly set. Merkel said another point the CPC wants clarity on is accountability.

"The community really wants accountability in police contracts," he said. "We have what we understand to be a tentative agreement, but we don't know what is happening moving forward."

During Tuesday's meeting, board members of the CPC said the agreement also adds two more civilian investigators of police misconduct at the Office of Police Accountability.

"One of our major concerns is we don't know, and we have been kept in the dark about what is going on with the contract," said Rev. Patricia Hunter, a co-chair of Seattle’s Community Police Commission.

"Many of us want to know what about 2024 and beyond. What will be in that contract, and where is accountability."

KOMO News reached out to SPOG President Mike Solan for comment but did not hear back.