Edmonds, Wash. — The City of Edmonds is exploring the possibility of shuttering its police department and switching to contract services through a sheriff’s department.
No official decision has been reached and conversations are in very early stages.
It comes as the city faces a “severe budget deficit,” according to a statement written by Mayor Mike Rosen in the city’s proposed budget document.
In a statement Monday, Mayor Rosen confirmed the city has had “exploratory meetings” with both the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
“Throughout this budget season and as we’ve been navigating the fiscal emergency, I have consistently indicated that every possible option and solution would be considered,” Rosen wrote. “That doesn’t mean we will do them, but I do believe it is wise for us to identify them. As potential options are identified, the first step is to explore if they are even viable.”
Officer Will Morris, President of the Edmonds Police Officers’ Association, said he found out about these conversations through word-of-mouth.
“There was no communication from the city to the union,” he said.
Morris said he’s sympathetic to the city’s financial woes but believes there are better alternatives to dissolving the department.
“We need to cut more from our police budget, which will include some of our members being cut,” he said. “We think not doing that at this point is a disservice to the citizens of Edmonds, because it’s kind of pushing us further into the financial hole by not cutting enough. We think that the most important thing is to have a balanced budget and to still have a police department.”
Many residents KIRO 7 spoke to said they did not want to lose their local police.
“It’s nice to know your neighborhood police,” said Sally Epler. “Whoever’s doing it should be local.”
“It’s nice to have people that are steadily in the same area and not coming and going,” said Mike Klenck.
Morris agreed with those points and encouraged people with concerns to reach out to their elected officials.
“You kind of lose the institutional knowledge, the community knowledge, with no guarantee of having the same officers working in the same area from year to year,” he said.
Rosen said he looked forward to working with the council and union to find ways to maintain the police force.
Will Chen, President Pro Tem on Edmonds City Council, said Monday the Mayor had not brought these conversations to council yet.
Chen, and a city spokesperson, both declined to comment on how long a transition between departments could take if plans move forward.
KIRO 7 will keep you updated on progress.
©2024 Cox Media Group
