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Spokane council approves DOJ grant to fund eight new police officers

Spokane City Council · January 16, 2026

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Summary

The Spokane City Council voted 5-2 to accept a Department of Justice grant for the Spokane Police Department, a roughly $1 million award with a 25% local match that officials said will fund eight new full‑time officers for community policing and gun‑violence prevention.

The Spokane City Council voted 5‑2 during a special session to approve a Department of Justice grant for the Spokane Police Department, Council member Kate Telles said. The transcript does not specify the meeting date.

Chief Hall told the council the grant is intended to support hiring needs, expand SPD's community policing capacity and assist with gun‑violence prevention. According to the record, the award is a one million dollar grant that carries a 25% local match and would fund eight new full‑time officers. "Acceptance of this grant will not violate in any way the state's Keep Washington Working Act," Chief Hall said in response to concerns about legal compliance.

Telles reported the vote tally as 5 in favor and 2 opposed; the transcript does not list the names of the individual yes or no votes. The record does not specify the source of the local match beyond the statement that a 25% match is required.

The council did not record further detail in the provided transcript about implementation timing, which bureau will manage hiring, or an exact award date. For more information, Telles directed the public to spokanecity.org.