<p>The Seattle Police Department is facing a crisis. Low staff due to the “Blue Flu,” extended leave, and officers removed from duty have caused a staffing crisis that threatens the city’s safety.</p>
<p>Conservative radio host Jason Rantz <a href="https://mynorthwest.com/3279670/rantz-seattle-police-unavailable-staffing-catastrophe/">reported</a> this week that the SPD’s “Unavailable” list, which includes officers who “are on extended leave and cannot be deployed” has grown “considerably” as of December 10. Officers on the list have been absent for at least 14 days.</p>
<p>Rantz reported that the SPD is also struggling to fill vacant patrol slots and is currently below minimum staffing. Rantz noted that every precinct in every district is facing a shortage of officers.</p>
<p>“The HR Unavailable list was at 126 on Oct. 20, two days after the COVID-19 vaccine mandate deadline passed and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan pulled nearly 100 officers from duty,” Rantz reported. “Now, the HR Unavailable list has ballooned to 155, according to an SPD source. This is on top of the <a href="https://mynorthwest.com/3176828/rantz-150-seattle-cops-herbold-cut-budget/">335 exodus of officers</a> since 2020.”</p>
<p>“The list includes illness, disability, and maternity and paternity leave. But officers burning accrued vacation or sick time will also appear on the list. It’s a move an officer typically takes before separating from the department. The SPD will likely see several separations before the end of the year,” Rantz continued. “Many of the officers that are out of service come from patrol. It’s causing a staffing crisis.”</p>
<p>Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan told Rantz that the list had “explode[d]” recently.</p>
<p>“We’ve seen that list explode since the riots due to a lot of the injuries, of people not being able to get surgeries scheduled on time because of the pandemic, and a number of [other] factors,” Solan said. “The political environment we’re in … created a situation in our community that we don’t have enough cops. Period.”</p>
<p>Solan went on to say that the “city cannot hire enough people to solidify the vacancies and the continued vacancies.”</p>
<p>“That, to me, is alarming. Not just because we’re losing members. But it’s creating a working condition issue. Every watch, every shift, every precinct. That creates a safety concern for the cops who were just answering that basic 911 call. Are there going to be enough people to back each other up in terms of creating a safe, to a degree, a safe call?” he added.</p>
<p>An SPD spokesperson acknowledged the staffing issue, but said they could not comment further.</p>
<p>“Not speaking to any numbers, but every officer that is on that list is an officer that isn’t available to answer 911 calls and can add to the response time for any call,” the spokesperson told Rantz. “As we have stated in the recent past, the SPD remains in a staffing shortage, and we continue to need additional people. This reason is why we continue to advertise for new recruits as well as ask for additional funding from the city council.”</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Seattle Police Crisis: ‘One Emergency Event Away From A Serious Catastrophe’

‘Dangerous Precedent’: Court Sides With University Over Jury in False Rape Defamation Case

Trevor Bauer Wins Lawsuit Against False Accuser. Will The MLB Take Him Back?

Trump Admin Bans Illegal Immigrants From Getting Taxpayer-Backed Mortgages

Texas Man Arrested After Video Allegedly Shows Him Ramming ATV Into Tesla

Kristi Noem Tours El Salvador’s Gang Prison Before Threatening To Deport More Criminals

Columbia Anti-Israel Group Reactivated Instagram Account Just Before Oct. 7 Attack, Lawsuit Says

News

Police

Seattle

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News —

Seattle Police Crisis: ‘One Emergency Event Away From A Serious Catastrophe’