An Anonymous Resident Goes to Bat for SPD

Since his State of the City speech a few weeks ago, Mayor Mike McGinn’s office has gotten a lot of support for his idea to change the hiring practices of SPD—specifically to incentivize new officers to be hired from the Seattle work pool—as opposed to Burien or Enumclaw or Colonial Williamsburg or the Hellmouth or wherever the fuck.

In fact, I called and found that none of the feedback the mayor’s office has received on the McGinn’s recruiting suggestions has been negative—and a few were even penned by SPD officers themselves.

Which is why I was surprised to receive this letter sent by SPD last week, but written by an anonymous Seattle resident. In the letter, an International District resident chides McGinn and The Stranger for spanking the Seattle Police Department a little too hard on the issue. Take a look:

Response to Mayor McGinn’s Speech re: SPD 2/22/2011:

Seattle PD IS a direct reflection of the diversity of our city. Seriously it is a rainbow – at least in my “hood”.
Seattle PD with bike patrols, foot patrols and more IS a direct reflection of our “Seattle” Culture – that outdoorsy, fit culture. (show me an out of shape Seattle officer – go ahead try!)
Seattle PD officers and leadership are respectful, articulate, expressive and communicate with our citizens – for sure in the ID – with consideration to our diversity.

Unique challenges to our officers: Very few cities have the transient issues that Seattle has. Very few cities of this size have the high cost of living. Very few cities have the great number of languages spoken. Very few cities of our size have the extensive drug problems that permeate the downtown area.

Full letter after the jump, sic throughout, emphasis mine.

Living in the city, working in the city as a mandate: Absolutely against it. Our officers already spend 12+ hours a day “as one” with our community. They deserve a break. What about the safety of our law enforcement’s extended family? What about keeping the valued officers refreshed? What about the high cost of living and schools in the city? What about property costs and taxes? Why make it difficult on the officers? Why make their living and work place the same? Is that even constitutional? Has it worked for Chicago? What about their own desire to live near church, extended family, community or their spouses’ desired location? Freedom of choice – that’s what the officer deserves and needs – just like any other citizen. Aside from higher pay, more “feet on the ground” – they need and deserve peace of mind when they are on the “off time”.

I think that it is the citizens who may simply not know the officers’ challenges and how they meet them on a minute by minute basis. Perhaps that integration should be with citizens understanding the intercity challenges and officers better. Seattle has unique pockets of safety areas in neighborhoods that are completely different than areas such as the ID, SODO, Belltown and downtown. The Police know our city and our citizens. Perhaps it is the politicians who should learn more.
Respectfully, just my thoughts and opinions.
[International District Resident]
East Precinct

The letter-writer makes a few good points—it’s true that citizens and politicians don’t necessarily understand the challenges police officers face, and mandating that officers live in the areas they serve would pose its own particular set of difficulties (especially if you’re commuting from the Hellmouth—yikes!).

It’s refreshing to see at least one anonymous Seattle resident worrying so diligently about the safety of Seattle officers’ families, and voicing concern that our police officers are living close enough to their churches, with enough breathing room from the downtrodden communities they serve and a salary that will truly allow them to get by.