At least 118 officers have left the Seattle Police Department (SPD) following mass Black Lives Matter protests and city budget cuts. It currently has around 1,200 officers on its force – the lowest number in a decade.

According to statistics from the mayor’s office, the month of September typically sees five to seven officers depart from the department, but this year a whopping 39 officers left, including three who were still in training. Other departures included officers who sought lateral moves to other departments or retired altogether.

Making those numbers even more dire is the fact they don’t include another 14 officers who were using up permitted sick leave and vacation time ahead of a permanent exit. Most of those who have left have more than 25 years’ experience on the job.

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