The Seattle Police Officer’s Guild is pleased to announce that our membership has overwhelmingly voted to approve a new four year contract offer from the City of Seattle.  93% of the ballots cast voted to approve the contract which contains a wage increase and maintains medical coverage.  The contract also provides provisions through an MOU where the City of Seattle is committed to bargaining any future police reforms issues by reopening the contract and bargaining those reforms according to the Washington State Collective Bargaining Laws.

In the past, members of the Seattle Police Officer’s Guild ratified a contract that created the Office of Professional Accountability as well as the creation of the very first civilian director of that office. SPOG also voted for the creation of the OPA Civilian Review Board.  SPOG also approved a contract which contained 29 reforms suggested by Mayor Nickels Police Accountability Blue Ribbon Panel.

 By ratifying this deal the men and women of SPOG have once again demonstrated their willingness to move forward on police reform issues and to discuss those reforms at the bargaining table.  The contract will be in effect through December 31, 2014 and it is retroactive back to January 1, 2011. Wage increases are as follows: 2011 0%, 2012 2.3%, 2013 3.25%, and in 2014 COLA + .75%.

SPOG would like to thank Mayor McGinn and the city labor relations unit, specifically David Bracilano and Mike Fields. We also thank members of the city council who comprise the Labor Relations Policy Committee.  SPOG also thank the men and women of the Seattle Police Department for their continued professionalism and service during this long process.

PRESS RELEASE

April 4, 2013

TO:      All Media Outlets

FM:      Sergeant Rich O’Neill

            Seattle Police Officers’ Guild President

           RE:     Seattle Police Officers Guild reaction to the filing of criminal misdemeanor assault charges against Officer Chris Hairston

The Seattle Police Officer’s Guild is disappointed with the decision by Seattle City Attorney Peter Holmes to file criminal misdemeanor assault charges against Officer Chris Hairston.  The facts in this case will clearly demonstrate that the officer’s conduct, although not condoned, did not rise to the level of a criminal act.  Mr. Holmes has once again proven that he does not objectively study these cases but rather has a double standard for filing decisions when it involves a police officer.  The facts will demonstrate that Officer Hairston arrived on the scene where his wife (a uniformed officer) had just been brutally assaulted by the suspect who was in custody. Officer Hairston was captured on video basically “grabbing” the suspect. The suspect was not slapped, punched, kicked or assaulted in any other way. The suspect received no injuries.  How many citizens who would be caught on video “grabbing” a handcuffed suspect who had just assaulted their spouse would Mr. Holmes charge criminally?  The answer is obviously none. Mr. Holmes is only filing criminal charges because Officer Hairston is a police officer.  The proper venue to address the actions of the officer is in the Office of Professional Accountability and not in a criminal court. This unnecessary filing decision is only being done for political reasons and is a waste of city resources, and valuable court time.  Mr. Holmes’ decision further damages the bleak relationship he has created with the rank and file officers of SPD who do not trust his judgment and question his fairness. SPOG will support Officer Hairston until he is relieved of this unfair and unnecessary criminal action.

The Seattle Police Officers’ Guild is the largest police labor union in the northwest and represents all sworn Seattle Police Officers and Sergeants which includes over 1220 members.

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