Council receives AB2561 vacancy report; police officer vacancies remain a focus

As required by Assembly Bill 2561, the city presented its annual vacancy report (point‑in‑time date March 9, 2026). Chief People Officer Miss Deleó summarized vacancy rates across departments and explained that the measure is a snapshot that does not capture recruitments underway or long‑term leave. She said the city watches a 10% vacancy baseline and that police officer vacancies were near 16.5% in 2025 (the police management association figure briefly rose to 14% due to a one vacancy later filled).

Miss Deleó outlined recruitment practices — continuous recruitments for police, overhire policies to cover long leaves, out‑of‑cycle salary increases that compounded with cost‑of‑living adjustments, and faster step increases during probation — intended to improve retention. Council received the report and voted to place it in the record.

Council members asked for comparative benchmarks and national context for police vacancy rates; staff said they did not have a national figure on hand and that they would follow up with additional comparative data.

The council voted to receive the AB2561 report and continue ongoing recruitment and retention efforts.