Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8c
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
October 11, 2022
DATE: September 20, 2022
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Lisa Drake, Commander
SUBJECT: Contracted Law Enforcement Services
Amount of this request:
$3,500,000.00
Total estimated project cost:
$3,500,000.00
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute a contract in the amount
of $3,500,000 for Contracted Law Enforcement Services.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This request authorizes approval to execute a contract of contracted law enforcement services
to assist with law enforcement functions at SEA Airport. Currently, the police department is faced
with 30 commissioned vacancies, impacting the ability to meet Minimum Staffing Levels (MSLs).
In addition, the department is faced with an additional 10 vacancies due to officers in training or
in a non-deployable status.
Over the course of the last two years, the number of trespassers and associated crime has
increased at the airport. These crimes include but are not limited to assaults on passengers,
assaults on employees, increased breaches and breach attempts at the checkpoints, suicide
attempts, and persons with knives or other weapons as well as behaving in a manner to create
fear.
Several actions have been taken to try and mitigate the increased trespassers and crime taken
place, but only small improvements have been seen.
SEA CARES
Port of Seattle Police staff have been working with SEA CARES to create an environment less
inviting for criminal activity. For example, chairs have been removed, doors are being locked
during evening hours, and additional security guards have been hired as a deterrent. While this
is providing some assistance, the problems are being moved to different areas, such as restrooms
and stairwells.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 2 of 5
Meeting Date: October 11, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Crisis Coordinator and Mental Health Professional
A patrol officer with experience in the mental health field was pulled from uniformed patrol to
work specifically with those in crisis. One of the expectations of this position is to have a
dedicated person who can collaborate with mental health resources and provide those in the
airport the opportunity to receive treatment so they would not be a reoccurring problem for
those transiting through the airport. While this has been a step in the right direction, one person
is not able to keep up with the large amount of people currently entering the airport committing
crimes and assaulting passengers and/or employees.
South Correctional Facility (SCORE) and ILA with Sea Tac Municipal Court
The Port of Seattle Police established a contract with SCORE and an Interlocal Agreement with
SeaTac Municipal Court for arrests made at the airport. These agreements were secured to
ensure repeat offenders and people committing crimes against persons at the airport were
removed without the immediate ability to return and reoffend. Prior to this, many offenders
were returning immediately as King County Jail was declining to book most defendants.
Criminal Trespass Strategic Plan
An additional effort put forth to ensure the safety and security of employees and passengers was
the implementation of a Criminal Trespass Strategic Plan. This plan provided officers the
guidance needed, and expectations needed to work to make the airport a safer environment for
all. Lack of sufficient staffing makes it difficult at times to make needed arrests as officers are
handling in progress calls.
Despite all the efforts noted above, the Port of Seattle is still experiencing persons in the airport
who create safety concerns for stakeholders and employees. For example, Delta and Alaska
Airlines have voiced concerns about the safety of their employees and passengers at baggage
claim. At this time, Delta has hired security for their leased areas in baggage claim and Alaska
Airlines is in the process of doing the same. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) communicated
concerns for their employees after a subject was wielding a knife near their employee entrance.
A TSA inspector was assaulted on International Boulevard while walking to work, and two other
TSA employees were assaulted at the checkpoints.
JUSTIFICATION
This effort supports the following Century Agenda Goal:
1. Be a highly effective public agency.
The request for approval on execution of this contract is to meet the service level agreement
expectations of our stakeholders and provide the appropriate presence to deter criminal activity
from occurring at the airport. Stakeholders and passengers expect to feel safe when they are
traveling or coming to work. To provide an environment safe for all, additional assistance is
needed until staffing can be increased within the police department.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 3 of 5
Meeting Date: October 11, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
DETAILS
Scope of Work
Contracted law enforcement services will provide the following:
(1) Traffic Control on Airport Drives. Responsibilities will include:
a. Moving parked vehicles
b. Addressing unattended vehicles
c. Maintaining visibility and deterring acts of terrorism
(2) Checkpoint staffing if needed.
a. Provide visible presence for criminal activity deterrence.
b. Respond to immediate threats of safety.
c. Nonpriority calls will be handled by Port of Seattle Police.
(3) Law enforcement If law enforcement action is taken the arrestee will be handed off to
Port of Seattle Police who will take primary and the contracted law enforcement officer
will provide a written statement.
Schedule
Once executed, contracted law enforcement would provide needed services when staffing falls
below minimum staffing levels. The department will attempt to fill vacancies with Port of Seattle
Police Officers prior to using CLEO’s.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – To not hire contracted law enforcement personnel.
Cost Implications: Savings of up to $3.5 million.
Pros:
(1) Additional funding would not be needed to provide this service.
Cons:
(1) Minimum staffing will not be able to be increased from the current 8.
(2) Potential mandate of fixed positions at the checkpoints by TSA.
(3) Low police visibility on the airport drives as officers continue to be called to calls inside
the airport.
(4) Inability to appropriately address the increased acts of violence and crime occurring in
and near the airport.
(5) Stakeholders continue to feel unsafe in their leased area (ex. Delta, Alaska, and CBP).
This is not the recommended alternative.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 4 of 5
Meeting Date: October 11, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$3,500,000
$0
$3,500,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
0
0
0
Current request for authorization
3,500,000
0
3,500,000
Total authorizations, including this request
3,500,000
0
3,500,000
Remaining amount to be authorized
$3,500,000
$0
$3,500,000
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
This is a new request. The current total contract cost estimate is $3,500,000. The current
authorization is to allow for contracted services for one year to meet an increased MSL of 10-16
uniformed officers at the airport based on passenger loads, time of day, special events, etc.
This effort will be funded from some savings in the police department salaries and benefits for
2023 and from assistance of the Aviation Division budget.
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis
$3,500,000
Business Unit (BU)
Aviation/ Police Department
Effect on business performance
(NOI after depreciation)
None
IRR/NPV (if relevant)
N/A
CPE Impact
N/A
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
It is understood contract law enforcement cannot be the end all answer to the staffing shortage
currently being faced by the Port of Seattle Police. The plan moving forward if the requested
contract to execute is approved would be:
Short term, 0-6 months: Utilize CLEO’s to increase minimum staffing to a level with the
capabilities to meet service level agreements. This will be dependent upon passenger counts,
time of day, special events, etc. Secure a contract with current commissioned staff to ensure
competitive total compensation. Create a police department SEA Safety Advisory Team to review
and modify as necessary the SEA Trespass Reduction and Safety Plan. Onboard the new Mental
Health Professional so they can begin addressing and providing recommendations on working
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 5 of 5
Meeting Date: October 11, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
with those in crisis. Hire a Talent Acquisition person dedicated to Public Safety recruitment and
hiring.
Medium term, 6-12 months: Continue to utilize CLEO’s to maintain staffing levels capable of
ensuring the safety and security of partners, passengers, and citizens. Continue recruitment
efforts to achieve full staffing (130 commissioned). Conduct a staffing analysis for the 2024
budget to ensure we are meeting stakeholder needs and expectations.
Long term, 12-36 months: Continue to utilize CLEO’s when necessary. Goal is to be at full
authorized staffing and use of CLEO’s to be phasing out.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
None
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None