Dozens of Seattle Police, Firefighters Off Duty One Day After Vaccine Mandate
In all, 103 sworn and civilian SPD employees submitted requests for either a medical or religious exemption and six others have “entered the separation process,” according to the police department. All six of those facing separation for noncompliance are sworn officers.
Just one day after the deadline for Seattle city employees to become vaccinated against the coronavirus, 176 Seattle police officers and firefighters are unable to report to work as the city’s mandate took effect and hundreds of employees failed to comply or sought exemptions, according to Mayor Jenny Durkan’s office.
In all, 103 sworn and civilian SPD employees submitted requests for either a medical or religious exemption and six others have “entered the separation process,” according to the police department. All six of those facing separation for noncompliance are sworn officers, the Seattle Times reports.
Of those in the exemption process, 93 are sworn officers, who were not allowed to report for work on Tuesday and likely will not be working for several weeks, said Stephanie Formas, Durkan’s chief of staff.
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