SPD sees major hiring boost in 2024 with 84 new recruits

SEATTLE, Wash. – The Seattle Police Department is making strides in rebuilding its ranks after several challenging years. In 2024, the department achieved a major milestone, hiring 84 new officers—a significant boost as SPD works to address staffing shortages.

The hands-on training at the academy is designed to prepare student officers for the complex realities of policing, from pain compliance techniques to firearms proficiency.

“It’s serious, the responsibility we have and the trust that we’re given. We don’t want to hurt people unnecessarily,” said 24-year-old recruit Natalie Cornwall. 

Cornwall, a Seattle native, returned to Seattle this past summer after applying to the department. She brings with her a background in the military, as her father served in the armed forces. Cornwall also has prior experience with Lacey’s Explorer program, where she participated for four years before aging out at 21.

“I just really missed the kind of sense of purpose on military bases,” Cornwall said. After traveling and completing college, she decided to pursue her passion for public service. “It’s about being part of something bigger than me and doing something that matters,” Cornwall said.

For another recruit, the journey to SPD marked a significant career shift. Damaris Dominguez, a 39-year-old mother from the Bronx, transitioned from the dental field to law enforcement.

“It was my first choice,” Dominguez said. Dominguez, who will turn 40 next month, said it was a choice she made after doing extensive research into the department. “I saw they were understaffed, just applied, I said I’m going to give it a go and I think it was the best choice,” Dominguez said. “As each step progressed, I started passing, getting calls, and I was like, ‘I’m in.’ It was a sign that I should be doing this.”

Dominguez views her new role as an opportunity to rebuild trust between police and the community. “It’s important to me because we’ve had a downfall in some years. Just being able to support our community…if it can be just a small change, that means everything,” she said.

As a Spanish speaker, Dominguez believes her language skills will be invaluable in connecting with Seattle’s diverse community. “It would be a big help because a lot of situations come from the lack of communication. Sometimes they can be misunderstood, so the fact that I can speak Spanish is going to be a big help when I’m on my beat,” Dominguez said.

The SPD hiring process is rigorous, involving multiple evaluations and months of training. Recruits spend 8-9 weeks at the post-basic academy, followed by additional field training.

Lieutenant Larry Longley, a field training officer with SPD, is optimistic about the department’s recruitment efforts. He noted an influx of candidates from across the country and military backgrounds.

“Some things have changed around the country. Crime’s at a pretty high level, so they’re seeing the necessity for it,” Longley said. He also credited social media for attracting interest in law enforcement careers.

SPD aims to hire 120 to 140 officers in 2025, surpassing 2024’s numbers. 

“We need them now more than ever,” Longley said. “They’re going to be highly trained officers and professional officers.”

Despite this recruitment success, Longley noted that the department still faces challenges. “We lost quite a few officers, and we still have to factor in attrition numbers to even retiring,” Longley said. “It’s still years away, several years away, before we’re fully staffed.” 

For Cornwall and Dominguez, joining SPD is more than just a career—it’s a calling. “It’s a lifestyle. It’s not just a career,” Cornwall said.

SPD Hires by the numbers

• 2024: 84
• 2023: 61
• 2022: 58
• 2021: 81
• 2020: 51 
• 2019: 108

Individuals who have left SPD (Sworn + recruits)

• 2024: 83 
• 2023: 97 
• 2022: 159 
• 2021: 171
• 2020: 186 
• 2019: 92 

Retirements

• 2024: 39
• 2023: 66
• 2022: 88
• 2021: 100
• 2020: 71
• 2019: 45

Seattle Police says Mayor Bruce Harrell aims to have the department back to pre-pandemic levels of around 1,400 officers.

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