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Council approves forensic digital evidence classification for SPD to formalize pay and roles
Summary
The Seattle City Council unanimously approved Council Bill 121207 to establish a forensic digital evidence classification series and corresponding pay rates for positions supporting SPD investigations; the committee report said the new series reflects current video and photographic work in crime-scene units.
The Seattle City Council on July 14 unanimously approved Council Bill 121207 to create a forensic digital evidence classification series and corresponding pay rates for roles in the Seattle Police Department.
The clerk read the Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development Committee report describing the ordinance as authorizing new classifications and compensation to reflect work already performed by video specialists and photographic services positions in the Crime Scene Investigation Unit. Council member Rink (committee chair) recommended a yes vote and said the committee voted unanimously to recommend passage.
During public comment, Angela Nizhirno, a human-rights activist, supported the council bill and urged competitive wages and adequate staffing so forensic digital evidence are properly analyzed and victims’ cases are not left incomplete. "I support the passing of Council Bill 121207 and catching up with wages in order to help close more cases with thorough forensic evidence analysis," she said.
The clerk called the roll; the ordinance passed 9–0. The chair signed the legislation on behalf of the council.
What’s next: The ordinance authorizes classification and corresponding rates of pay; implementation requires administrative steps within the city’s personnel and budget processes to create the positions and fund them.
