By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• Washington state ranked last in the nation for law-enforcement officers per capita, according to data compiled by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
• From 2024 to 2025, the state added 68 officers, but population growth outpaced hiring, further lowering the officer-to-resident ratio.
• Washington’s rate of officers per 1,000 residents fell to about 1.37, placing it behind every other state and the District of Columbia.
• Officials said staffing challenges persist despite some agencies reporting recruitment gains.
• Law enforcement leaders and lawmakers have discussed funding and recruitment strategies to address staffing shortages.
SEATTLE, WA — Washington state remains at the bottom of national rankings for law-enforcement officers per capita, with recent data showing a continued decline in staffing relative to population, officials said.
Data compiled by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs indicate that from 2024 to 2025 the state saw a net increase of 68 commissioned officers, but that growth was outpaced by an estimated 79,400-person rise in population, resulting in a lower ratio of officers per 1,000 residents.
The latest figures place Washington at about 1.37 officers per 1,000 residents, ranking it 51st when measured against all 50 states and the District of Columbia on a per-capita basis, the report shows.
Some individual agencies have reported modest recruitment progress, but state officials and law-enforcement leaders said the overall staffing level remains below regional and national averages and continues to present challenges for service delivery.
Lawmakers and public safety officials have discussed funding options and recruitment incentives as part of efforts to improve staffing levels, though the statewide trend reflects persistent hiring and retention obstacles, according to the association data.