Police chief outlines recruitment surge, vacancies and a possible shift to 10‑hour patrols

The police chief presented a staffing update during the workshop, reporting 113 authorized officers and 14 current vacancies; six of those vacancies are in the training academy with a graduation scheduled for Sept. 1. The chief said 144 applicants entered the current testing period but cautioned not to assume all will qualify: "You're normally looking at traditionally five‑ten percent of the applicants that come in," he said.

Chiefs and councilmembers discussed a proposed shift‑length change, with the chief favoring 10‑hour shifts to reduce fatigue and improve wellness but saying the department would need roughly eight additional officers before making the change. He described a recruitment strategy focused on lateral hires and social‑media outreach, and he called for ongoing monitoring of standards and applicant pipelines. Council members pressed for contingency planning if retirements or resignations reduce staffing below target levels.