Special Report
How Much Money Goes to Police Departments in America's Largest Cities
June 25, 2020 11:54 pm
Washington, District of Columbia
> Population, 2018: 702,455
> Police dept. funding as % of total budget, fiscal year 2020: 3.3% (the smallest out of 50 largest cities)
> Total police budget for fiscal 2021: $544 million (10th largest)
> Total city budget for fiscal 2021: $16.70 billion (2nd largest)
> Law enforcement employees per 100K: 643 (2nd highest out of 634 cities with 65K +)
> Total law enforcement employees: 4,520 (3,841 officers, 679 civilian employees)
> Violent crimes reported per 100K in 2018: 941 (49th highest out of 634 cities of 65K +)
As the home to the federal government, Washington D.C. has been one of the epicenters of the Black Lives Matter movement. Mayor Muriel Bowser has publicly feuded with President Donald Trump over activities by federal law enforcement in the city. Still, Bowser has confidence that the local Metropolitan Police Department has mostly good relationships with the community. According to police Chief Peter Newsham, his department has been actively reforming its policies since 2002. In recent years, the city has increased the use of officers on foot and bikes, and invested in a neighborhood engagement program.
Source: Michael Ciaglo / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Denver, Colorado
> Population, 2018: 716,492
> Police dept. funding as % of total budget, fiscal year 2020: 28.6% (4th largest out of 50 largest cities)
> Total police budget for fiscal 2020: $426 million (16th largest)
> Total city budget for fiscal 2020: $1.49 billion (18th smallest)
> Law enforcement employees per 100K: 255 (138th highest out of 634 cities with 65K +)
> Total law enforcement employees: 1,824 (1,517 officers, 307 civilian employees)
> Violent crimes reported per 100K in 2018: 730 (97th highest out of 634 cities of 65K +)
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock says his city had changed its use-of-force policies before the current protests. According to 5280 magazine, Denver already meets the “8 Can’t Wait” measures suggested by a national reform campaign. He acknowledged, though, that more needs to be done. Hancock endorses the police department’s program that sometimes deploys social workers along with officers on calls. At least two city council members have said they favor reallocating some law enforcement dollars to social programs.
Seattle, Washington
> Population, 2018: 744,949
> Police dept. funding as % of total budget, fiscal year 2020: 27.2% (5th largest out of 50 largest cities)
> Total police budget for fiscal 2020: $409 million (17th largest)
> Total city budget for fiscal 2020: $1.50 billion (19th smallest)
> Law enforcement employees per 100K: 262 (123rd highest out of 634 cities with 65K +)
> Total law enforcement employees: 1,954 (1,420 officers, 534 civilian employees)
> Violent crimes reported per 100K in 2018: 680 (111th highest out of 634 cities of 65K +)
Seattle has become a hotspot in the national debate over police tactics as activists established the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ). The small so-called “police free” area has attracted a great deal of media attention. Some city council members are proposing a 50% reduction in police spending and diverting those funds to community programs. The mayor has opposed such a drastic hit but has pledged to find at least $100 million for new social initiatives.
Indianapolis, Indiana
> Population, 2018: 864,131
> Police dept. funding as % of total budget, fiscal year 2020: 20.9% (11th largest out of 50 largest cities)
> Total police budget for fiscal 2020: $254 million (20th smallest)
> Total city budget for fiscal 2020: $1.21 billion (15th smallest)
> Law enforcement employees per 100K: 365 (38th highest out of 634 cities with 65K +)
> Total law enforcement employees: 3,153 (2,616 officers, 537 civilian employees)
> Violent crimes reported per 100K in 2018: 1,273 (20th highest out of 634 cities of 65K +)
The ACLU is among the organizations lobbying Indianapolis to reduce police spending in its budget. The mayor will present a new financial outline for the city in August. In the meantime, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is revising its use-of-force policy. The city may also create a review board to review allegations of police misconduct.
Last year’s budget included funding for policy body cameras, and the department says those will be introduced this summer.
Source: Sean Rayford / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Charlotte, North Carolina
> Population, 2018: 872,506
> Police dept. funding as % of total budget, fiscal year 2020: 11.4% (12th smallest out of 50 largest cities)
> Total police budget for fiscal 2021: $290 million (25th largest)
> Total city budget for fiscal 2021: $2.55 billion (17th largest)
> Law enforcement employees per 100K: 268 (112th highest out of 634 cities with 65K +)
> Total law enforcement employees: 2,342 (1,817 officers, 525 civilian employees)
> Violent crimes reported per 100K in 2018: 00 (536th highest out of 634 cities of 65K +)
Police departments in many cities have faced scrutiny over the use of chemical agents to disperse crowds, and Charlotte is no exception. After the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department used tear gas in June, the city council voted to ban the purchase of such substances going forward. The council also instructed the city manager to oversee an effort to align police policies with the “8 Can’t Wait” movement, which calls for eight concrete police reforms, including banning chokeholds and shooting from moving vehicles as well as comprehensive reporting.
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