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MEMO
Office of the City Manager
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CITY OF
CHUTA VISTA
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DATE: October 20, 201 1
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Coun it ~
FROM: Jim Sandoval, City Manager
SUBJECT: Police Department Staffing
I know there is interest in the appropriate staffing for the Police Department (i.e, recent Police Officers Association
letter and upcoming City Council Public Safety Subcommittee topic). For this reason, I thought it would be
worthwhile to explain how Chief Bejarano and I have been addressing the issue to date.
Approximately seven months ago, Chief Bejarano, with my support, contacted the Peace Officer Standards and
Training (P.O.S.TJ to request an analysis of Police Department staffing. "fhe analysis would be very
comprehensive with the focus on public safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The analysis would look at best
practices as well as the best use of resources in order to determine appropriate staffing levels and models throughout
the department for both today and as the City continues to grow. It is our goal to have the study either completed or
at least far enough along to enable us to make staffing or other Police Department related financial
recommendations to the City Council for the next fiscal year budget. P.O.S.T. has stated it will conduct the
analysis. However, due to current P.O.S.T. staffing shortages, we have not been given a specific start date. I have
also tasked our Continuous Lnprovement Manager Ed Chew to look into other options in the event POST would not
be able to eonduct/complete the analysis in a timely manner. Mr. Chew is coordinating closely with the Police
Chief on this matter.
In August, Chief Bejarano, with my support, worked with the Human Resources/IT Department to initiate a
recruitment for Police Officers. The recruitment resulted in over 140 applicants and a certified list that we can hire
from. Recently, I had authorized Chief Bejarano to hire tour new Officers. Two of these would fill vacancies. "fhe
latter two are important because they enable the Department to increase staffing during peak times for calls for
service (evening hours).
Approximately a year and a half ago, Police Officers approached Chief Bejarano with the idea of a revised work
schedule, including the potential fora 3/12 schedule (3 days a week, 12-hour day shifts). Although this option (and
possibly others) would result in more patrol staff available at any given time, the Chief and I were reluctant to move
forward without analyzing potential impacts. Chief Bejarano has researched the matter, and according to his peers
and available data, there does not seem to be any greater risk or significant problems associated with the proposed
work schedule. It was in September that Chief Bejarano reached out to the Police Officers Association requesting
to meet informally to discuss the 3/12 staffing option.
Chief Bejarano will be making a presentation to the Public Safety Committee on the above issues at its November 2,
20l 1 meeting.
ce: Chief Bejarano
Scott Tulloch
Gary Halbert
Ed Chew
J:\AdminSup\Sandoval\Police Department Staffng.doc
276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 979"10 ( www.chulavistaca.gov ~ (619) 697.-503'1 ~ fax (679) 409-5884