Council, chief debate shifting academy funding into general fund to boost hires

Council members and Chief Henry spent a portion of the meeting on police academies and recruitment, focusing on whether academy costs should be budgeted in the general fund rather than supported by one-time or special funds. Chief Henry said the department's "hope is to have 2" academies in 2027 and explained academies historically relied on special funds or one-time public-safety aid rather than a standing general-fund line.

Council members pressed for a detailed cost breakdown of academies, including staffing and supplies, and asked how many cadets progress through the feeder programs into sworn positions. Henry provided retention numbers for the department's feeder and academy pipelines, noting retention has trended up: "Those numbers, in 2021 were 67%. Now... currently sitting at 88%." Council members also asked for clarity on whether the city would budget fully for two academies or plan for a fractional (1.5) academy in the year.

The council asked SPD to produce a breakdown of academy expense subcategories (equipment, range costs, instructor time, supplies), cadet throughput counts and expected hires, and to propose options that would better stabilize academy scheduling so hiring is not tied to one-time funds.