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Four Officers Leave Seattle Amid Defunding, Transfer to Spokane

by Leah AnayaDecember 16, 2020

Spokane, WA – In August, Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward told police officers that were being let go due to defunding that they were welcome to come to the Spokane Police Department.

On a Facebook post in August, she said, “Other cities have taken a much swifter, more aggressive approach that has abruptly displaced officers and downsized departments. To officers who have lost jobs, Spokane has a message for you: we’re hiring.”

This past Monday, Mayor Woodward announced that four former Seattle officers had lateralled over to the Spokane Police Department. Mayor Woodward said, “Back in August, I let law enforcement know if their cities were defunding police departments, the City of Spokane was hiring. Please join me in welcoming these 4 lateral officers from Seattle who were sworn in today. A BIG win for Spokane!”

Woodward said that Spokane is approaching the idea of police reform differently. Months ago, she spoke of what kind of people she was looking for in a committee person regarding police reform. She said, “We are looking for people who will put safety at the center of all of our efforts. The safety of our community, people officers encounter, and our officers who are part of those interactions.”

Meanwhile, the Seattle City Council cut the police budget by 18% for 2021, including costs for training and staffing, and more cuts are likely on the horizon.

All four of the officers that were hired in Spokane have over five years of service in Seattle.

Spokane Police Department Communications Manager Julie Humphreys wrote in a press release, “Each officer expressed an interest in joining the Spokane Police Department in part because of the department’s reputation as a quality organization and because of the community support toward law enforcement.”

In Mayor Woodward’s post about the new recruits, she said:

“Officer Josh Zuray, a native of WA and 5 years with Seattle PD. His father was an officer for 27 years. Prior to law enforcement, Josh spent 20 years in church ministry and community work. During those years, he was a youth pastor, teacher and senior pastor. He and his wife, Kristin, have three daughters and one son.

“Officer Jared Keller served 5 years with Seattle PD. He had a variety of roles including patrol officer, major crimes detective and most recently was part of a community response group. Jared was raised in Helena, MT where he met his wife Kori.

“Officer Bryan Weber served 7 years with Seattle PD. Prior to policing, he spent 3 years working juvenile and adult corrections. He is a trained chef who now enjoys cooking from home as a passion rather than a profession.

“Officer Jesse Cahill graduated from WSU in criminal justice and political science. He has been with Seattle PD for 5 1/2 years. His wife, Mary, is a Spokane native and together they have a 2 year old son and are expecting a daughter in March.”

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