KOMO News: Kent Police Department at 'full staff' for first time in years following staffing issues
by Jackie Kent, KOMO News Reporter
Updated Tue, May 9th 2023 at 6:57 AM
KENT, Wash. — At a time when police departments across Washington are facing staffing crises, the Kent Police Department (KPD) said it's now fully staffed with 167 officers for the first time in a few years.
KPD staff said the agency will always be hiring to fill a few spots, like expected retirements and jobs left open by those who don’t make it through the training program. They also have openings for their civilian and corrections positions.
“It’s always in flux. People have retired, but we are considered fully staffed for the number of officers allotted,” KPD Chief Rafael Padilla explained. “You had to bring them in and show them who you were, show them what the value of the mission was, and let them know how highly valued and sought-after they were.”
The KPD took on a record 38 recruits in 2022 after Kent City Council signed off on a pay raise for some officers. Those who have been with the department for at least 5 years now get a minimum salary of $105,000.
Mayor Dana Ralph added that in-state lateral transfers get a $25,000 signing bonus.
“At the time we negotiated that contract about a year and a half ago, it was top in the state. We’re watching other departments negotiate. They’re on about a three-year cycle,” Ralph said. “We are fully staffed up to the amount of budget that we have. So we probably need 30 or 40 officers to keep our community as safe as we’d like to see it.”
This comes as the city is working to lower crime in areas that saw a spike last year, including car theft and commercial burglaries. Padilla noted they should be able to see the impact on crime once the new hires get through training and hit the streets later this year and early 2024.
“My vision is to have more of a visible presence that deters crime, more of an opportunity for our people to get out there when it’s not an emergency and build that community that we want. Right now, we have to put everybody going from 911 call to 911 call,” Padilla stated.
Ralph said she's looking to see how the city can increase its police staffing budget, noting that state lawmakers failed to pass legislation this year that would have provided more funding through a sales tax.