Over 200 Seattle police officers quit amid national protests

SEATTLE — The Seattle Police Department said more than 200 officers have left their jobs since last year.

The departing officers have cited what they call an anti-police climate in Seattle, City Council policies and disagreements with police department leadership.

Police Chief Adrian Diaz said Tuesday that the department is in what he called a staffing crisis.

Exit interviews reveal that some departing officers retired early and that others left for policing jobs in different cities or private sector jobs.

The City Council is considering new cuts of $5.4 million to the police department’s budget.

Durkan is cautioning against additional cuts and activists have applauded the reductions.

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