Police chief outlines staffing, training and community outreach goals

Chief Sam Lovado addressed the council May 26 with a detailed annual update on staffing, training, equipment and community policing initiatives.

Lovado said he became interim chief in August 2024 and was appointed full time in February 2025. He said the department currently has 10 full‑time and two part‑time officers and has halted the prior turnover trend by improving pay, benefits and retention efforts. "We had to stop the bleeding," he said, describing a new retention model he calls "BIDS" (benefits, incentives, dollars and satisfaction).

Lovado described an expanded community engagement program that includes school outreach (SMAC program), preschool safety visits, after‑school events and an active social media footprint to notify the public about incidents and suspects. He also briefed council on equipment and policy updates including new body cameras and a nearly completed rewrite of the department’s policy manual.

On training, Lovado said the department renovated an on‑site range (90 feet wide by 200 yards, 12 lanes) to host instruction locally and reduce travel costs. He argued in‑house training and hosting regional classes improve consistency and reduce overtime and travel expenses. "If we host, we usually get two to three host seats… we start getting a return on investment," he said, noting a break‑even point when classes are scheduled locally.

Lovado outlined plans for a special response team (not a SWAT unit) to handle warrants, barricades and hostage situations, and said the department is expanding digital forensics and peer‑support programs. He emphasized retention as the key council action item: "Big thing for me is going to be retention… it's a huge resource," Lovado said when asked what council could do to help reach three‑ and five‑year goals.

Councilmembers asked about staffing ratios and weekend population surges; Lovado responded that weekend events and seasonal population increases raise call volumes and factor into required staffing levels. The council did not take formal action on the address; the report will inform upcoming budget discussions and retention strategy work.

The council held several follow‑up questions about incentives, metrics for recruitment and a projected timeline to fill vacant sergeant and patrol positions.