Police Chief presented the proposed 2025–26 police budget and described increases in training and apparel lines tied to expanded staffing and consent-decree-related training. The chief said the department has budgeted for CALEA accreditation expenses and an on-site assessment and expects national accreditation by year-end if inspectors endorse its compliance work.

Why it matters: Police budget lines for training and equipment are large drivers of the public safety budget; the council asked about training continuity if consent-decree obligations change. The chief also described moving dispatch services to the county as a way to avoid capital purchase of a new CAD/radio system and to reduce some software costs, but there are recurring systems-and-communications costs tied to vehicle modems and replacement hardware.

Details: The chief reported a 29% increase in wear/apparel and a 67% rise in training and education driven by higher head count and subject-matter experts to meet consent-decree tasks. CALEA membership and on-site assessment were cited as a significant professional-service cost. The department is budgeting for ebike patrol equipment and helmets to pilot a summer bike patrol program. The police also noted potential opioid settlement funding that could support public-safety purchases such as Narcan dispensers.

Council questions: Members asked whether consent-decree training funding would disappear if federal oversight changed; the chief said much of the training would be repurposed to other topics if necessary. Council members also encouraged prudence on conference travel and noted citizens’ expectations about public-safety performance.

Next steps: Chief will continue with accreditation and training programs; the council encouraged reviewing periodic conference travel budgets citywide.