Spokane police, fire jobs kept vacant

Four new firefighter and police positions created in December by the City Council will remain vacant.

Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession informed the City Council on Wednesday of his decision not to fill the jobs at least until the city has analyzed a new efficiency study, the Matrix report.

Matrix advises changing work shifts of police and firefighters to maximize productivity. It also suggests cutting positions in the police and fire departments.

“I find no recommendation in the Matrix report that supports the inclusion of these additional positions,” Hession’s memo says. “Quite to the contrary the Matrix report recommends significant shift changes in both police and fire that Matrix believes could lead to better service with the staff (that) we currently have.”

City Council members reacted to Hession’s decision with various levels of concern.

“Here he is taking this recommendation from this out-of-state, overpaid consultant and not balancing that with the needs of this community,” said Councilman Brad Stark. “I’d like to know what world he thinks he’s living in.”

The mayor said projected shortfalls in future budgets require tough decisions.

“It’s an easy thing to say you want more police and fire,” Hession said in an interview. “But to dismiss this recommendation because we think we somehow know more than they do without evaluating it with our police and fire (departments) doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.”

Al French, who is running for mayor against Hession, said he hasn’t seen anything in the Matrix study that changes his mind that more police and firefighters are needed.

“I don’t think that the council members are going to be easily persuaded that we don’t need more police officers,” said Councilwoman Mary Verner, who also is considering a run for mayor.

The 2007 budget was approved by the City Council in December. The police and firefighter additions were not part of the mayor’s proposed budget.

Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin said she sees a need for the extra police officers but is willing to keep an open mind until a Matrix consultant makes a presentation to the city later this month. Her opinion was echoed by council President Joe Shogan.

Councilman Rob Crow said if making shift changes can improve police service in the same way hiring more officers would, he supports the mayor. But “if what he’s saying is we don’t need to perform that service, that’s where I would have a problem,” Crow said.

The mayor’s choice to announce his decision via memo irked some council members. Councilman Bob Apple said his colleagues should cut the mayor’s office budget in retaliation for poor communication.

“I cannot understand why he and his staff refuse to address us directly,” Apple said.

Hession said he’s sorry if using a memo offended council members, but there isn’t time to talk with seven members directly about all his decisions.