SPOKANE, Wash. – The future of the Community Policing Program (C.O.P.S.) is uncertain as the 2025-2026 budget excludes funding for the program.
C.O.P.S. does not enforce anything. However, the program provides community resources, serves as a place where officers meet with community members, they conduct latent fingerprinting and initiate neighborhood observation patrols.
Jeff Johnson, Executive Director of C.O.P.S., expressed concern about the potential funding cut.
He told NonStop Local that since the organization started in the early ’90s, the City has regularly renewed a five-year contract with them.
Spokane typically provides about a half of one-million dollars annually to fund C.O.P.S., alongside some funding from the State Department of Corrections.
“DOC… puts officers in our shops. Those officers test their… drug test their parolees, their customers, that sort of thing,” Johnson said.
The program operates eight shops in underserved parts of Spokane.
However, their funding to move forward is not guaranteed, as the current contract with the city expires at the end of this year.
“And we just found out, when the first [proposal] of the budget came out, that we were not included. Which blew me away,” Johnson said.
Mayor Brown’s proposed budget suggests the allocated funds will be subject to a request for proposal process.
C.O.P.S. plans to apply for the funding.
“We’ve been told the city is going to put out a request for proposal. But here we are. The middle of November. And our business ends at the end of December. We are a regular business,” Johnson said.
In a statement, Mayor Brown said:
“Due to the city’s budget constraints, we reviewed all contracts to ensure accountability and data-driven agreements. For C.O.P.S., we determined that a fair, competitive process—potentially for reduced funding—best supports Chief Hall’s vision for community policing, fostering trust and collaboration to enhance safety. We look forward to receiving proposals, including from C.O.P.S.”
City Council Member Jonathan Bingle told NonStop Local that he hopes the contract with COPS continues.
“For me it’s a slam-dunk to fund this program and make sure they have everything they need to help us keep the community safer. You’ve just got a lot of people who don’t want to be police officers, but want to help keep their community safe,” Bingle said.
He emphasized that losing the C.O.P.S. program would be a significant loss for Spokane.
“In this entire process, I hope that the City Council hears Jeff. I hope they hear the community advocates that talk about… the real benefit that C.O.P.S. brings to the community. And I hope that we change course. ‘Cause right now, I don’t know that we’re interested in funding them. Which, again, [a] massive loss to the community and a real shame,” Bingle said.
This issue is expected to be discussed and reviewed at Monday’s City Council legislative session.
