Public Safety Survey

The City of Spokane is seeking community input on Public Safety priorities, including the recruitment of the next Police Chief. The Chief of Police will lead a department of 352 commissioned officers alongside the Fire Department, which is comprised of over 360 firefighters. They will both work to ensure your safety through a variety of strategies, including but not limited to: police patrol, fire response and prevention, and emergency planning - at the same moment the City of Spokane faces a 50 million-dollar budget deficit.

The City values your feedback regarding public safety leadership and community priorities. Thank you for participating! Please encourage friends, family, and neighbors to do the same.

Question Title

* 1. Attest that you are

A resident

Working in Spokane but don't reside

A visitor

Other (please specify)

POLICE

Qualifications and Leadership

Question Title

* 2. Please identify the top five qualifications you would prioritize hiring a new Chief of Police for the City of Spokane?

Background in interacting with the general public

Experience working in Washington law enforcement

Experience in restorative justice

Awareness of socio-economic issues faced by communities in Spokane

Experience managing a diverse staff

Experience working in a city

Experience managing a large department budget

Resident of the City of Spokane

High level of education (graduate degree, etc.)

Strong public speaking skills

Experience with racial justice issues

Successful track record of reducing crime

Prioritizes alternatives to incarceration (diversion, rehab, etc.)

Executive level training

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. What are the top five leadership skills that you think are important in a Chief of Police?

Community oriented

Problem solver

Commitment to equity

Credibility

Accountability

Inclusivity

Communication abilities

Experience running a law enforcement department

Integrity

Honesty

Transparency

Willingness to hold officers accountable to high professional standards

Open-mindedness

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 4. Please identify the five most important priorities for a new Chief of Police.

Improving police training

Prioritizing mental health in the community and Police Department

Forming partnerships with other public safety departments and interest holders

Forming partnerships with public health departments and interest holders

Forming partnerships with community groups

Implicit bias and anti-racist education

Responding to calls of service

Crime prevention and reduction

Drug and alcohol enforcement

Focusing on young people, especially at-risk youth

Issues facing unhoused community

Recruiting and retaining a qualified, diverse police force

Traffic safety

Navigating politics

Addressing police recruitment/staffing limitations

Helping City address 50 million dollar budget deficit

FIRE

Question Title

* 5. Please identify the five most important priorities for the Fire Department.

Improving training

Prioritizing mental health in the community and Fire Department

Forming partnerships with other public safety departments and interest holders

Forming partnerships with public health departments and interest holders

Forming partnerships with community groups

Implicit bias and anti-racist education

Responding to calls of service

Drug and alcohol treatment

Focusing on young people

Issues facing unhoused community

Recruiting and retaining a qualified, diverse fire department

Capital planning

Navigating politics

Addressing Fire recruitment/staffing limitations

Helping City address 50 million dollar budget deficit

PUBLIC SAFETY

Question Title

* 6. Please identify your top three public safety priorities/concerns

Increased staffing for Spokane Fire Department

Increased staffing for Spokane Police Department

Additional Fire Stations

Fire Prevention Measures

Traffic Safety

Crime prevention and reduction

Jail conditions

Jail capacity

Emergency Management

Violent Crime

Domestic Violence

Property Crime

Neighborhood investments

Improved fleet for Fire and Police departments

Upstream investments in neighborhoods, schools, parks

Addressing public health crises, including but not limited to mental health, substance use, and homelessness.

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. What are the most pressing challenges in Spokane that our Chiefs must address?

Question Title

* 8. What does the Spokane Police Department do well that the Chief of Police should continue doing?

Question Title

* 9. What does the Spokane Fire Department do well that the Fire Chief should continue doing?

Question Title

* 10. How can our Chiefs engage with the community to maintain and enhance confidence and trust?

Question Title

* 11. Is there anything else you would like the Mayor to consider when appointing the next Chief of Police?

Demographic Information

OPTIONAL

Please provide your demographic information. This allows the City to understand what communities we have heard from. This data will not be associated with any specific survey results.

Question Title

* 12. Race or Ethnicity

Native American/Alaska Native

Hispanic or Latino

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

White/Caucasian

African American/Black

Asian or Asian-American

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 13. Gender

Male

Female

Non-Binary / Gender non-conforming

Transgender Man

Transgender Woman

Prefer not to respond

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 14. Age Range

Under 18

18-25

26-40

41-50

51-64

65+