The primary mission of the Seattle Police Department is to patrol and provide emergency response to incidents in the city of Seattle on a 24/7 basis. Many different programs and services are involved in accomplishing this mission. These are described in more detail under Units and Sections.

WHAT SPECIALIZED SERVICES DOES SPD PROVIDE?

When people think of a police department, they normally think of patrol officers and detectives, but there are a host of other specialized functions the Department performs that are essential to the public safety mission.
Some of these include:

• Parking Enforcement to keep traffic moving and promote effective use of parking spaces

• Crime Scene Investigation

• Fingerprint Examination

• 9-1-1 Call Center for all police and fire dispatches

• Emergency Operations Center for disaster or emergency response
  

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DEPARTMENT'S
CRIME FIGHTING PROGRAMS?

Much of the crime fighting in Seattle takes place through traditional Patrol and Detective units working with interested residents who come forward as complainants and witnesses. Sometimes, however, special efforts are required to combat or prevent various criminal activities.

These efforts are described in Emphasis Programs, where proactive enforcement and intervention programs are described and in Youth Programs, where educational, enrichment and prevention programs designed for young people are detailed.

HOW CAN CITIZENS GET INVOLVED?

The Department supports partnership efforts with community members that help to keep Seattle a safe city in which the live, work and play. These are described under Community Programs as well as our Get Involved section.

Some of these include:

• Victim Support Team Volunteers

• Community Advisory Councils

• Community Police Academy

• Weed & Seed Program

• BlockWatch

• Night Out Against Crime

HIGHLIGHTS