EDMONDS — The city of Edmonds is looking into disbanding its police department and contracting with a county sheriff’s office.
The move comes amid a budget crisis as the city tries to bridge a $13 million deficit. The city has already proposed staff furloughs, position cuts and eliminating various programs. But it’s not enough.
The King County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it shared an overview of its contract model with Edmonds. Snohomish County Sheriff Susanna Johnson is meeting with city officials later this week, a Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said.
In a statement Monday, Mayor Mike Rosen said the meetings are “exploratory.”
“I have consistently indicated that every possible option and solution would be considered,” Rosen said. “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.”
Rosen added he looks forward to “working with the council and the union to find ways to fix the budget, fix our structural issues, maintain our police force, and ensure the safety of our residents.”
Will Morris, president of the Edmonds Police Officers Association, learned about the discussions just before Thanksgiving.
Morris said he recognizes the city needs to plan for its fiscal emergency. However, he and other officers were most upset Edmonds met with King County before Snohomish County.
A large concern is King County’s inquest program, Morris said. The program allows county officials to investigate deaths involving law enforcement or corrections officers and determine if they violated policy. These inquiries happen in a public forum to increase awareness. Snohomish County does not have the same policy.
Officers also want to keep living and working in Edmonds, and it’s unclear if that would be ensured in a contract with Snohomish County. It is also unclear how many officers could lose their jobs under either option.
“Then the citizens are losing that connection,” Morris said. “You’re not guaranteed to have the same officers year after year serving the community.”
Instead of contracting with a county sheriff, the union president said the city should look into cuts within the police department, such as some recently added administrative positions.
In October, Edmonds Police Chief Michelle Bennett announced she plans to retire early next year. Morris said the union would like the city to promote someone internally to save money.
“In the interim, right now, our deepest concern is that our membership doesn’t feel like she’s advocating for what’s best for us as a department or the city,” Morris said.
Contracting police services is one of many significant decisions the city is facing to address its budget woes. The City Council has agreed to place a measure on the ballot for a property tax levy lid lift, and is discussing another measure to annex into South County Fire.
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
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