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Council weighs sergeant reclassification and lieutenant option as police staffing and SRO plans advance
Summary
The council discussed creating a classified lieutenant/second‑in‑command position through a sergeant reclassification to improve supervision, asked for more cost breakdowns, and reviewed plans to start a school resource officer when staffing allows.
City council members and the police chief discussed a proposed sergeant reclassification intended to create a second‑in‑command (lieutenant) position and addressed staffing, costs and the planned school resource officer (SRO) program.
The police chief presented the reclassification as a way to provide a clear second in command and reduce current overtime and callback costs. "The cost savings is there," the chief said, noting an estimated annualized difference of roughly $3,146 in one cost line and projected overtime/standby savings overall. The staff report included a cost analysis; the chief said that, in previous estimates, the change showed savings versus the current standby/overtime model.
Several councilmembers asked for more detailed cost analysis and raised questions about long‑term costs, PERS and holiday pay impacts if the new position is later filled by a senior officer who might retire soon. "If Susan comes in and says, Todd, it's gonna cost you $50... in the next 2 years, then I'd probably be like, I really don't wanna spend $50," one councilmember said, asking for five‑year cost projections.
Discussion vs. action: the item was debated but not finalized. Councilmembers repeatedly requested additional fiscal breakdowns before committing. "Bring it back here again," one councilmember said, and staff said it will return with further detail and likely appear on the council agenda for final action.
On school safety, staff outlined a plan to begin an SRO when full staffing allows; they said April or May was an internal target and that the school remained willing to contribute to the role. "If we use the lieutenant to backfill, could we have more time to SRO starting sooner?" a councilmember asked. Staff said freeing up supervisory coverage could accelerate the SRO start date.
The chief also discussed patrol visibility, reporting that the department conducted more than 115 foot patrols in the plaza since January and said the department can create flagged extra patrols in the records system to expand patrols downtown. Councilmembers asked about increased enforcement in the plaza to address sleeping, open containers and behaviors perceived as discouraging family use of the space.
Next steps: staff will return with a more detailed fiscal analysis (including PERS and holiday pay impacts) for council consideration and will continue planning the SRO start contingent on staffing and funding.
