Patrol, traffic, outreach roles finalized
SPOKANE VALLEY – The City Council unanimously approved 10 new police officer positions on Jan. 7 to address public safety concerns and community support for enhanced law enforcement.
Deputy City Manager Erik Lamb detailed the roles, which include four patrol officers, two patrol lieutenants, one traffic officer, one homeless outreach officer, and three positions for an investigative unit—two officers and a sergeant. These roles will focus on improving response times, targeting high-crime areas, and addressing issues like drug activity and homelessness.
Lamb stressed the importance of the investigative unit in addressing gang-related crimes and drug houses. “Investigators will have the tools and the resources to fully investigate crimes,” he said.
He also noted that the traffic officer will be funded through a state grant aimed at reducing DUI incidents.
Council discussions emphasized the need to maintain a strong patrol presence during promotions and address space constraints at the precinct.
Councilman Ben Wick questioned the feasibility of repurposing holding cells for office space, asking if it was the only way to repurpose the space.
Police Chief David Ellis explained that reopening holding cells would require significant resources, including medical staff and equipment.
“If we were to go back to using the holding sells, we would need a nurse there 24/7,” Ellis explained. “If someone’s on opioids… we don’t want anyone to die. And now, we have to have both male and female officers there to search male and female suspects.”
The additional positions are expected to cost $140,000 more than budgeted, but Lamb confirmed the expense could be covered by the city’s 2025 budget surplus.
Councilman Al Merkel raised concerns about council involvement in operational decisions. He stated that that he would prefer to instead look at performance measures.
“I think the fact that seven completely inexperienced individuals are here voting on what officers, and what positions, and where they need to go,” he said, explaining that from a Federal perspective, “there’s the concept of substantial involvement, which is essentially directing a contract, where they should put staff and how they should manage staff.”
The council ultimately supported the motion after deliberating, which passed unanimously.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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