Committee recommends ordinance creating forensic digital evidence classification series for Seattle Police Department

The Seattle City Council Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development Committee on July 2 recommended passage of Council Bill 121207, an ordinance to create a Forensic Digital Evidence classification title series and corresponding pay rates for the Seattle Police Department, and forwarded the recommendation to the full Council for final action on July 14.

Alyssa Pulliam, interim HR director with the Seattle Police Department, and other city human resources and labor staff told the committee that the existing classifications used for the unit had not been reviewed in about 40 years and no longer matched specialized work such as responding to crime scenes, collecting and analyzing video and audio evidence, and supporting prosecutions and victims. "The previous classifications that were used for these positions had not been reviewed in 40 years," a presenter said.

Presenters said the legislation creates four new titles to better reflect the unit's technical and supervisory work and that the change affects 11 positions in the Forensic Digital Evidence unit. "This affects 11 positions within the Forensic Digital Evidence Unit," a presenter said. They also said Seattle Police Department would be able to absorb the costs determined for the reclassification.

Councilmembers asked why it took decades to update the classifications. Presenters said the nature of classification work evolves slowly, that due diligence and documentation began a few years ago, and that the city has coordinated with labor partners to ensure fairness and market competitiveness.

The committee voted 3–0 after discussion to recommend the bill; the clerk recorded three votes in favor and zero opposed. The recommendation will be transmitted to the full City Council for consideration at the July 14 meeting.